Sturgeon County is a horn of plenty, an agricultural plain teeming with grains, vegetables, fruits and just about every kind of edible meat imaginable.
In celebration of a wonderful harvest, the third Sturgeon County Bounty is snapping open its tents on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Prairie Gardens’ Haunted Pumpkin Festival in Bon Accord.
About 21 vendors – producers, restaurateurs, fruit and veggie farms, meat ranches, assorted processors and various artisans – are set to showcase their abundance.
“It’s been a great way to market agricultural products in Sturgeon County to the Capital region. And a taste event is the way to go. It connects the public to producers and producers to processors,” says Patrick Earle, economic development specialist for Sturgeon County.
The first Sturgeon County Bounty, a low-key affair with 12 vendors occurred in Oct. 2010. Buoyed by an attendance of about 1,500 people, organizers attempted a second event on July 1 at the Edmonton Garrison with 24 vendors. About 47,000 people turned out and the long line-ups created lengthy waits.
“At this event we’re expecting anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 people. It’s definitely going to be a different kind of day than Canada Day. There are lots of activities to take part in at the pumpkin festival and with less people you can talk to the vendors one-on-one and experience the dishes better,” Earle said.
Cajun Angus is bringing back its two specialties, tailgate bratwurst sausage on a bun and chili smokies, while Chelsea’s Pub in Bon Accord is going Italian with pizza and wings, pasta and salad.
For a lighter meal, d’Lish Urban Kitchen and Wind Bar offers split pea and ham hock soup, veggie flat bread bites and lamb sausage with minted sweet pea puree.
Don’s Steak and Seafood Bistro from Morinville puts an exotic spin on its menu with onion bhaji (an East Indian starter), roasted pumpkin soup and butter chicken and basmati rice.
LCD Catering is cooking barbecue beef on a bun while Rafter 2M Farms brings slider burgers and Saskaturkey to the table.
For dessert, Berry Ridge Orchard presents three fruit-based sorbets, Café Haven is selling mini carrot cupcakes and Coronado U-Pick has baked saskatoon and rhubarb pies.
As well, wire weaving, paintings, alpaca products, pottery and dĂ©cor demonstrations are part of the artisans’ corner.
The event runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $15 and includes five food sample tickets. Additional food tickets are $1 each. All dishes range from one to four tickets. For more information visit www.sturgeoncountybounty.ca.
