The Urbanite – Jon Liedtke – Aug. 29, 2014
Bikes, Burgers and Beers bring the Sandwich Towne Festival into 2014
Move over sandwiches as the focus is now bikes, burgers and beers at the reimagined Sandwich Towne Festival.
The festival, which takes place Sept. 6 and 7 is a concept that is “completely unique” in Canada according to Teanna Lindsay of Teanna Lindsay Events, which is co-ordinating the Sandwich Town Festival.
“We’re going to be focusing on the cycling community [because] Sandwich Towne is the start or finish of the riverfront trail, so it only makes sense to bring people to this community by bicycle,” said Lindsay, who has seen great success hosting the monthly Walkerville Night Market.
Restaurants and bars are teaming up to offer 60 types of sliders and over 60 different beers on tap, with as little overlap as possible. Festival attendees will receive a Sandwich Towne Passport which will provide the history of both the town and the festival, as well as a tasting menu that can be used to denote favourites as you eat and drink.
The event is different than its predecessors and while the old festival was enjoyed by all, many business owners agreed that there was a need to draw more crowds.
Billie Jo Zacher, owner of Billie’s Place, is most excited about the new concept and how the BIA and business owners are “all working together and bringing the community into Sandwich Towne.”
Zacher hopes the festival will help draw different crowds into Sandwich Towne that will make conscious decisions to come back multiple times.
Robert Parent, Ambassador Bicycles owner, likes the emphasis on a family-orientated event which celebrates westside life. “The area has always been known for its great pubs … the westside has also offered probably the best riding in Essex County … I look at is as the hub for the riverfront trail, you always want to start and stop at the Ambassador Bridge.”
Parent noted that “strong communally based festivals” are happening around the city and that a benefit of having this type of event showcases what the westside has to offer.
“This festival is completely unique to Canada, there is no other festival like it, we’re starting something brand new that focuses on health with the cycling, which has sustained so much popularity [in Windsor],” said Lindsay. “We’re also going to have some children’s activities [a bike parade for children and a bike donation for those in need],” said Lindsay.
“I personally, as an events co-ordinator, believe you can build community through events … to encourage people to be active in their community, be healthy, experience new restaurants and new foods … we have so [many] great things going on in Windsor and Essex county.”
West end fest gets a hipster makeover (archive.org)
Jonathon Liedtke is the managing editor of The Urbanite, Windsor’s alternative newspaper. He is also a member of Windsor’s “Punk with Horns” band The Nefidovs, and as such, is committed to enhancing and sustaining the arts community.
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