Local Vibe

The 13th annual Mustard Festival will take place on Labour Day weekend in the heart of downtown Hamilton on Ferguson Avenue between Main St. E. and King William St.

Now you may be asking yourself what exactly a mustard festival might be and why would we be celebrating mustard anyways. Well, did you know that Hamilton is home to the largest miller of dry mustard in the world?

G.S. Dunn is that company, and they are a strong presence at the Mustard Festival each year, showing the history of mustard, explaining its many uses – both in cooking and for medicinal purposes – and showcasing some of the most creative mustard producers in Southern Ontario.

Downtown Hamilton, where the Mustard Festival is held, is also home to some of the best restaurants in the region, small and large, and many of them participate in the Mustard Festival, serving up great food, all with a ‘zip’ of mustard. Many have also contributed some of their chefs’ personal favourites in our cookbook.

Created in 1998, Hamilton’s Annual Mustard Festival kicked off the opening of Phase 1 of Ferguson Station, Ferguson Avenue North, between King and King William Streets, in the heart of Downtown Hamilton.

In the first year attendance numbered approximately 1,500 people, with “dancing on Ferguson Avenue”, to the sounds of bands like the Toronto All Star Big Band. After 12 successful years, attendance has grown to over 25,000 people, and they are still dancing on Ferguson Avenue.

Mustard Festival in progress

This year the entertainment will once again include the Toronto All Star big Band and a handful of other performances as outlined below.

Friday, September 3rd

4:00 pm – PIP Jazzy Songs
6:00 pm – Swingtet
8:00 pm – Jumpin’ Jive Band
9:30 pm – Powerhouse

Saturday, September 4th

2:00 pm – The Garborators Kid Show
4:00 pm – The Karen Thornton Duo
6:00 pm – The Personics
8:00 pm – Jude Johnston Quartet
9:30 pm – Toronto All Star Big Band

Sunday, September 5th

2:00 pm – The Garborators Kid Show
4:00 pm – The Paul Benton Jazz Trio
6:00 pm – Southern Comfort Quartet
8:00 pm – The Henry Strong Jazz Band
9:30 pm – Backroom 11

On top of this fantastic lineup of live music entertainment there will be performances at the Celebrity Chef’s Tent by local celebrities including politicians, local T.V. and radio personalities. This is another highly anticipated event as people crowd around to see what the the local celebrities have to offer. Over the years there have been a large variety of items cooked to perfection in front of the crowds, and while you are at the Mustard Festival you can get your very own copy of a cookbook with tons of recipes that have been prepared previously, all of which include the magic ingredient…Mustard!

Let’s not forget about the kids, because the event planners sure didn’t. Visit the TD MusTOTS Village at the Ferguson Station Pavilion for the Carnival For The Kids where you will find horse and wagon rides, friends of the aviary, reptiles and other exotics, clowns, face painting, candy floss, cold apple cider, and popcorn. The Garborators Kid Show will also be on the Main Stage on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. All of this equals FREE family fun!

As this is the last official long weekend of the summer, there is simply no reason to not mark off your calendar to spend some time exploring new culinary delights and being thoroughly entertained at the same time!

For complete details on this event, and contact information, please visit the Official Mustard Festival Website.