District of Carleton North event celebrates food, music, and community
Some light showers were not enough to keep people away from Florenceville-Bristol’s Main Street on Saturday evening.
More than 180 people turned out for Brews on the Boardwalk in the District of Carleton North on June 6, braving a warm yet wet, grey evening for an outdoor gathering centred on craft drinks, food, live music, and community.
The event, hosted near the covered bridge, brought together local craft beverage producers, food vendors and music by Amber Walls. Serving up refreshments were Big Axe Brewery, Unit XIII, Moosehead, Off Grid Ales, Downriver Beverage Co., Picaroons, Yip Cider, 13 Barrel, and Off the Rails, with edibles for all, from The Canopy, Off the Rails and Steve’s Sausages.
“It’s so exciting,” said Sharon Johnston, Tourism, Heritage and Culture Manager for the District of Carleton North. “A lot of people are afraid of the rain. I wasn’t really sure, but this is great.”
Nichola Rutherford came in from Woodstock and wasn’t bothered by the rain. Clad in a clear, plastic raincoat, she laughed, “Come on, I had to come out and have a drink with my besties!”
The turnout was especially notable given the weather. Conditions were overcast through much of the afternoon before light rain began falling during the event window. However, by 5 p.m., Johnson reported they already had “about 180 people.”
“[We] have a great time planning the community events in our district, and while weather is always a challenge, this year’s Brews on the Boardwalk proved that even though the weather wasn’t ideal, it didn’t stop anyone,” said Johnston. “Attendees came out ready to make the most of it, and the energy stayed high throughout – there was still no shortage of fun.”
Last year’s inaugural Brews on the Boardwalk saw 250 attendees, under far kinder conditions, making Saturday’s attendance a strong sign that the event has already found a place on the local summer calendar.
