What to Expect at the Toronto Cider Festival

So by now we hope you have gotten your tickets for the 2^nd annual Toronto Cider Festival that’s happening at Yonge and Dundas Square on Saturday, August 27^th 2016. But if not, no worries, there are still some left! This years theme is “Cottage in the City” so expect Muskoka chairs, canoes, wooden logs, wooden barrels and more right in the heart of Toronto.

This years event has three sessions, and is expected to bring over 3,000 attendees 19 year of age and over

Session 1 : 11:30PM-4:00PM
Session 2: 6:00PM-10:30PM
VIP Session: 5:00PM-10:30PM (Limited tickets)

*** UPDATE: AS OF WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24TH ONLY 150 TICKETS REMAIN! ***

Get your tickets while you still can: https://torontociderfestival.eventgrid.com

Tickets available

You may have gone to the first Toronto Cider Festival in 2015, but what can you expect for 2016? Well for starters, everything is bigger and better and there are more cideries for you to try – expect 40+ different ciders for your tasting pleasure!

Session 1 and Session 2 tickets are priced at $30
Tickets Includes 4 Sample Tokens and Commemorative Sampling Cup.

Ticket gives attendees access to 20 to top craft ciders with more than 40 taps, a handful of food trucks, and various forms of entertainment, including live entertainers, music, giveaways and contests.

VIP Tickets are priced at $60
Tickets Includes 10 Sample Tokens and Commemorative Sampling Cup.
VIPs get in at 5:00PM for early entry to the festival.

Participating Cideries (19 in total)

Pommies Cider Co.
The County Cider Company
Thornbury, Shiny Apple
Spirit Tree Estate Cidery
Brickworks Ciderhouse
Ironwood Cider
Forbidden Dry Cider
Duxbury Cider Co.
Revel Cider Co.
Grow A Pear
Magners Irish Cider [Ireland]
Angry Orchard Hard Cider [USA]
Magnotta Brewing Co.
Shiny Apple Cider
Ernest Cider
Lonetree Authentic Dry Cider [BC #1Cider]
KW Cider
Calvados Boulard
Savanna Cider [South Africa]

Some of the unique and interesting cider flavours that will be on tap:

Cherry
Blackberry Peach
Cranberry
Ginger
Strawberry Mint

…And many more to be announced and discovered!

What to look for:

The event itself has a lot of things to get involved in – not just only sampling new and classic ciders. (Note that 4oz sample tickets are 5 for $10 or 10 for $20).

Food Pairing w/ County Cider
Hosted by special guest Doris Miculan Bradley (industry professional who teaches at George Brown College and is the Canadian Brand Ambassador for The Wines of Vinho Verde), this session is special for those with VIP access, giving you a demonstration on how to pair delicious foods with the right cider blend. This session is expected to have 2-3 different cider tastings accompanied with various cuisine.

Bartending Competition
Attendees of the late session, 6-10:30pm will be treated to a flair bartending competition, sponsored by Angry Orchard. Expect flying spirit bottles, unique cider cocktails and maybe a splash zone if you’re in the front row (kidding, hopefully).

Entertainment
The festival will also feature special entertainment by ONQ, including live music by bands like Stereo Flavour and Sevens, one of Toronto’s best DJs – DJ D-Smooth

Food vendors

Pili Pili
Wood Oven Pizza by Aristocaters
The Mustache Burger
SnakAtak

Contests

The Magners Ireland Adventure Giveaway contest: Complete a ballot after purchasing a Magners Cider sample at the Toronto Cider Festival and submit the completed ballot to the Magners Cider Booth for a chance to win a 4-night stay with round-trip flights for 2 to Dublin, Ireland.

The Prince Edward County contest presented by the County Cider Company: complete a ballot after purchasing a County Cider sample from at the Toronto Cider Festival and submit the completed ballot to The County Cider Company Booth for a chance to win a 2-night getaway for 2 in Prince Edward County at Jackson Falls Country Inn with complimentary tastings at the County Cider Company and other select wineries

The Passport Contest: Visit each cider vendor at the Toronto Cider Festival and try their cider to get your passport stamped. Collect all 19 stamps and bring your completed passport to any Toronto Cider Festival token booth for a chance to win an international cider experience with food pairings for 2 at Her Father’s Cider Bar + Kitchen

People’s Choice Awards presented by The County Cider Company: Visit the 19 cider booths and pick the one you love most. Then text a designated number (647 360 2929) with the booth number that had your favourite cider for a chance to win an awesome prize pack from The County Cider Company

Angry Orchard Instagram Photo Booth Contest: Take a picture in front of the Photo Booth at Toronto Cider Festival and upload it on Instagram with hashtag #AngryOrchard and #TOciderfest. The most creative and hilarious picture will be selected to win a special prize pack by Angry Orchard

Official Sponsors

The County Cider Company – Proud Sponsor of the Prince Edward County Contest Giveaway, the VIP Food and Cider Pairing Session, People’s Choice Awards Giveaway and the Notable Toronto Cider Festival Pre-Event Launch Party
Angry Orchard Hard Cider – Proud Sponsor of the Flair Cider Cocktail Competition and Instagram Photo Booth Contest
Magners Irish Cider – Proud Sponsor of the Ireland Giveaway Contest
Indie 88 – Officia Radio Sponsor

The fun doesn’t stop here, as there will be an Instagram photo booth; along with live entertainers, musicians, contests and Giveaways all day long at your cottage in the city. Arrive early each session, and plan accordingly to get home safe!