Great eats! Come and get 'em

   One-Tank Trip for April 15/17

    (c) By Jim Fox

   Discovering food sensations and local dining favourites are a big part of day-tripping.

   We get some help finding these favs from Festivals & Events Ontario that has selected this year’s mouth-watering top events to “delight your taste buds.”

   “Pack up the family and your appetite and savour the season’s culinary delights,” said FEO’s Nichole Fogarty, who offers these food fest highlights.

Some of the two tonnes of fresh berries at the LaSalle Strawberry Festival.

   - Streetsville Founders Day Bread & Honey Festival, June 2 to 4, in Mississauga.

   This fun-filled family fest features a big parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, two stages of live entertainment, a petting zoo, pony rides, children’s inflatables, crafts and souvenirs. breadandhoney.ca

   - Lasalle Strawberry Festival, June 8 to 11, in this Greater Windsor community.

   The fest features a carnival, fireworks, pageants, a parade, live entertainment, vendors and juicy local strawberries. lasalle.ca

   - Jerkfest, Aug. 11 to 13, in Etobicoke (Toronto).

Tacos anyone? Spicy treats are at Jerkfest in Toronto.

   Experience tantalizing tastes, mysterious flavours and captivating aromas of spicy chicken, pork, beef, lamb, seafood and vegetables. Live entertainment, kids’ activities and prizes. jerkfestival.ca

   - Carrot Fest, Aug. 18 and 19, in Bradford, north of Toronto.

   There will be a market with hundreds of vendors, Ontario Dock Dogs performances, professional wrestling events, BMX stunt shows, Kids Zone, and stage entertainment. carrotfest.ca
    - Tecumseh Corn Festival, Aug. 24 to 27, east of Windsor.

   There’s a variety of family entertainment, contests and activities with abundant hot buttered corn on the cob. tecumseh.ca

   - Winona Peach Festival, Aug. 25 to 27, southeast of Hamilton.

   In its 50th year, this has something for everyone – from arts and crafts to vintage cars, a midway and entertainment. Free admission. winonapeach.com

   - Canada’s Largest Ribfest, Sept 1and 2, in Burlington.

   This fund-raising initiative of the Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore offers a family friendly weekend of delicious, gooey ribs, musical entertainment, an artisan fair and kids’ midway. canadaslargestribfest.com

   - SoundBites 2017, Sept. 2, Mississauga Celebration Square.

   It’s a wrap for the summer with a “massive food truck rally and an unforgettable concert” from 5 p.m. to 11p.m. mississauga.ca
    - Niagara Grape & Wine Festival, Sept. 8 to 24, St. Catharines.

Visitors try their hand at picking grapes at the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival. (Jim Fox photo)

   Join the 63rd anniversary of Niagara’s grape and wine industry, with premium wine tastings, culinary treats and live entertainment. niagarawinefestival.com

   - St. George Applefest, Sept. 16 and 17, north of Brantford.

   It’s a “marquee event” in Brant County with apples, pies, crafts, entertainment, kids’ activities and a Saturday night Street Party. Free, including parking. stgeorgeapplefest.com

Everything apples at the St. George festival.

   - Blue Mountain Apple Harvest Festival, Oct. 7 to 9.

   Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend and fall colours at Blue Mountain Village and Thornbury.

   Free family activities, live music and the Apple Pie Trail to explore. appleharvestfestival.ca
   For more details and a listing of this year’s Top 100 Festivals and Events: festivalsandeventsontario.ca

   Something’s brewing

   As part of the Muskoka Maple Trail & Festival, the area’s three craft breweries have joined the fun.

   Lake of Bays Brewing Co., Muskoka Brewery and Sawdust City Brewing have created their first collaboration beer – Pancake Breakfast Specialty Maple Ale.

Muskoka’s three craft brewers with their Pancake Breakfast Specialty Maple Ale.

   It’s a toasted golden brown ale “inspired by a perfectly flipped pancake,” said Jordan Mulligan of Muskoka Tourism.

   With a doughy malt centre, aromas of cinnamon and vanilla lead the way while the maple syrup provides a rich body and lingering sweet finish.

   “The maple ale will remind you of sitting around the table enjoying a warm plate of pancakes drizzled with Canada’s favourite syrup (provided by Sweetwater Maple Syrup and Maple Bluff Farm).”

  The brewers invite visitors to drop by for samples.

   Muskoka’s trail available through April 29, featuring 30 of the top maple experiences, while the Maple Festival is in Huntsville on the final day. muskokamaple.ca/maple-trail

-30-

Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca