While some might prefer its sumptuous Québecois cousin la tarte au sucre, Midland goes all out next weekend to salute and celebrate the versatile and easy-to-make Canadian staple known as the butter tart.
Whether one prefers theirs gooey and/or with raisins, all varieties will be on display as the town holds its biggest event of the year, Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Throughout the day Saturday, the downtown core will feature a variety of activities, live music and, of course, the chance to sample and purchase a bevy of butter tart varieties.
"It’s a celebration of something uniquely Canadian - the humble butter tart," Midland culture and community manager Karen Mealing tells Village Media.
"Ontarians love their butter tarts and whether you like your butter tarts with raisins or no raisins or with pecans, with 200,000 butter tarts available, there will be a butter tart to appeal to everyone’s taste."
And with no admission fee, the family-friendly event is truly "the sweetest day of the year," according to Mealing.
Besides live music and the butter tart contest, there will also be a kids zone, busker and vendors and downtown businesses setting up sidewalk sales.
"It is an amazing street festival that expands into our waterfront parks," Mealing says, noting visitors also enjoy the opportunity to sample the same butter tarts as the judges during the festival's annual butter tart contest.
"The judges only cut off a small bite of each to taste and the rest of each butter tart is cut up and audience members get to sample them. Festival goers can also purchase a mixed six-pack of contest butter tarts for $15 in front of Scotiabank."
This year, the town has created a second location to accommodate the many food trucks coming to the festival to sate hundreds of palates.
"While it’s a butter tart festival, there will also be a lot of other great food options for visitors to enjoy," Mealing says.
Mealing, who notes visitors will find both new vendors along with returning favourites, says there will be food trucks near the stage where live bands will be performing all day at King and Bay Streets as well as more offerings further up King at Elizabeth Street.
"The two shuttle bus parking lots are in new locations this year and anyone planning on making use of the free shuttles should visit the FAQ page at to make note of where they can park." she added.
And for people who've never experienced the event, Mealing says they should definitely check it out.
"It’s the original and largest butter tart festival in Canada," she says, adding they're expecting 50,000 to 60,000 visitors, a number similar to past years.
"Those who attend will see why Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival is one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario, as determined by Festivals and Events Ontario.
"It’s spending the day on the shores of Georgian Bay with family and friends while eating delicious butter tarts and other great foods, listening to live music, and enjoying shopping at downtown shops and at vendor booths."
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