INNISFAIL - It was the classic case of touch and go for Glen Carritt.
On the evening of Aug. 12 Carritt, who sits on town council, advised that if this summer's abundant rain continues its trend on Aug. 17 for the 2nd annual Feast On Main organizers had a contingency plan of putting up a tent on Main Street.
But Mother Nature had other ideas. The rains stayed away and the weather was almost perfect.
"We really did luck out. The earlier forecast was for 25 mills of rain and clouds. I had a tent all lined up but that was going to cost us $6,000 and that would have ate up a lot of our profits so obviously we are really blessed with the weather today," said Carritt, the event organizer and vice-president of Innisfail Town Theatre, which sponsored the event. "It's absolutely gorgeous."
He was equally happy this year's Feast On Main was not only sold out but attracted even more guests than the immensely successful inaugural event last year when Innisfailians and out-of-towners packed the 110-foot long table on Main Street to raise $10,000 for the local arts community.
He said 136 tickets were purchased at $100 a plate for the seven-course meal, up from last year when 118 citizens attended. "The tickets went quickly and everybody had a fantastic time," said Carritt, noting Innisfail's Joy’s School of Dance, who donated volunteer time, benefited with a $5,000 donation from the $10,000 that was raised. Carritt said it will be decided at a later date which arts group will receive a donation. "I would like to give a little bit more to Joy's and maybe to some other organization," said Carritt, adding Feast On Main is also a boost for local farmers as their food and fresh products are being put on centre stage for all to see, taste and enjoy.
"It's a combination of the arts, the farmers and everybody working collaboratively to make this event work," he said.
Leona Staples, the owner of The Jungle Farm, noted that Innisfail Growers, a group of five producers that includes her farm, provided all the vegetables and berries for the event. As Feast On Main was created to celebrate food she was happy to volunteer.
"Anything that celebrates food and is local is a great thing. I think Innisfail has been a great supporter of local food with the Farmer's Market. This is one our great spaces for Innisfail Growers to promote and to showcase some of our vegetables," said Staples, noting there was even fennel on the menu, a flowering vegetable in the carrot family indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean. "There might be lots of people who have never tried fennel. This might their first chance to try it."
The event, held on the blocked off Main Street between 50th and 51 avenues, began shortly after 5 p.m. While the three-piece 5-7 Band played light background music to establish a laid back classy atmosphere, chefs Matt Burton and Derek Layden worked their culinary magic with volunteers to prepare a scrumptious seven-course meal. The feast began with a Stoneheart Saskatoon Martini. Dinner guests were then treated to a wondrous feast that included Onion and Goat Cheese Tartlet, Tomato Gazpacho, Upscale Bacon and Eggs, Charcuterie Board, Roasted Veal Shoulder, Sweet Green Pea Panna Cotta and finally topped off with Strawberry Shortcake.
"It was a great meal and great community event," said Innisfailian Trelene Baycroft who came to her second Feast on Main with 17-year-old daughter Bryanna. "You see so many people you know, as well as new people. My daughter is enjoying herself, and this is her first time.
"And there is no rain and so far it is not too cold," she added. "It is a really nice evening on Main Street."
And event sponsors were also smiling. Dennis Blackburn, local branch manager for Scotiabank, praised not only the unexpected good weather and great food but for the positive way it promotes local business.
"It sheds a lot of light on the downtown," said Blackburn. "And also to the shops that are here, and draws more attention to the downtown, and how important that is to the downtown."
