Ripley is getting ready to turn up the local flavour this weekend as the annual Ripley Food, Art, and Craft Festival returns for another celebration of everything handmade, homegrown, and locally inspired.
The festival takes over the Ripley-Huron Community Centre on Saturday, August 15, giving residents and visitors the chance to spend the day browsing, shopping and meeting the people behind some of the area's unique products.
More than 50 local artisans, makers, bakers and food producers are expected to take part, offering everything from handcrafted gifts and artwork to home décor, baked goods and locally made food products.
Organizers say the event is about more than simply shopping. It's an opportunity to connect with local creators, support small businesses and enjoy a relaxed summer outing in the community.
This year's festival also marks the beginning of a new chapter. Over the next few years, the event will gradually take on a new name, "The Back Forty Bazaar," as it becomes part of Huron-Kinloss' Secrets of the Back Forty tourism brand.
While the name is changing, the spirit of the event isn't.
“Visitors can expect the same welcoming community festival they’ve come to love, with even more opportunities to discover the incredible makers, artisans, and food producers that make our local community special,” said Amy Irwin, Economic Development Officer with the Township of Huron-Kinloss.
The Ripley Food, Art, and Craft Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre, 17 Queen Street in Ripley.
Admission is $2 per person, while children under 5 can attend for free.
For anyone looking to turn a summer Saturday into a local treasure hunt, organizers say there will be plenty to discover.
