Every July 1st, the patriotic patriots at Dominion City Brewing Company throw a Canadian-themed party aptly titled Dominion Day.
Much like the brewery itself, the event has grown year-over-year and now teeters on the edge of losing its Canadian modesty. Past events have featured nods to our national heritage like peach-basket basketball, the ghost of former-PM Laurier, maple syrup blind-taste testing, the ‘Quebecano’ sandwich, and stubbies served from an ice-filled canoe.
This event embraces its hoserness; it’s like a real life Heritage Minutes #icansmellburnttoast.
Having outgrown the former party space at Arts Court, the 2017 event will be taking place at the Central Experimental Farm and runs from noon until 11 p.m. It’s Dominion Day On The Farm! This combination of a rural space within an urban environment only furthers the Canadiana theme.
The party promises lots of local food vendors, the Dominion Games (feats of strength!), live tunes and, importantly, lots of amazing beer. Musical performers include locals Amos the Transparent and local friend of the beer scene, Kathleen Edwards.
Beyond the sweet musical lineup, is an impressive beer list. Dominion is releasing four special brews for the event: Peace, Order and Good Government (kettle sour), Champlain Supernova (pale ale), Bonne Fête (cake beer), and Shed No Tears (stout). Always the gracious host, DCBC is also inviting some special friends to be a part of the Ontario keg garden, including: Beau’s, Blood Brothers, Bellwoods, Burdock, Dog and Pony, Halo, MacKinnon Brothers, Stone City Ales and County Road.
For the non-beer fans, Empire Cider Co. and Culture Kombucha will be providing fermented alternatives.
Great beer and tunes need to be paired with delicious local fare. DD On the Farm will be fed by Albion Rooms; Meat Press; The Rex; Moo Shu Ice Cream; Red Door Provisions; Holland’s Cake and Shake; Clover Food & Drink; Bowman’s Bar & Grill; Wellington Gastropub plus a sugar shack.
Tickets are $20 Canadian dollars for adults, while kids are $5 and babies are free. Tickets include entry plus a beer and a maple taffy. This event aims to be extremely family-friendly. The museum at the farm runs fantastic activities for kids through the summer and families are invited to come and go to explore the space as they please
As for the logistics, the Brew Donkey bus will provide shuttling from east and west pick-up points. Dress code is casual — though denim-on-denim and plaid are encouraged.
Expecting over 1,000 guests, Dominion City brewer/owner Josh predicts: “It’s going to be a great day.” True Canadian, he’s being modest. Considering they market themselves as merely “Makers of Very Good Beer”, there’s no hyperbole here. It is going to be a great day.