What is believed to be the largest beer garden in Steveston Salmon Festival history is set to welcome up to 1,000 people at a time.
That is, of course, if you exclude the fact the entire festival is usually a beer garden.
“It’s a Canadian right of passage to have a beer and listen to music on Canada Day. It’s what you do in your backyard; we’re just bringing it to the main stage,” said Kirstine Dickson, festival co-chair.
Last year’s beer garden was critized by some for being too small and tucked away in a separate, fenced-off area, next to porta potties.
This year, the Spirit of Steveston Zone, located on the sizable parking lot on Easthope Avenue, at Moncton Street, will again feature a main stage with live music. But this year you can walk around with a beer, from 11 a.m. to closing time at 8 p.m. (last pour is 7:30 p.m.).
Hosting the Zone will be Glen Hutton from Fuggles and Warlock, Richmond’s biggest production brewery.
“We’re taking up the whole parking lot, with the food trucks,” said Hutton.
“You’ll be able to walk around and there will be picnic tables, so you can sit down and enjoy good food and music,” including headline rock band Honeymoon Suite (5 p.m.).
Dickson said the festival was able to vanquish itself of its prohibitionist persona this year after last year’s beer garden went off without a hitch.
The fact remains that many people slip in a beer here and there on the streets during the festivities and there’s certainly more boozing in nearby backyards, said Dickson.
“I can’t tell you how many to-go cups are out there,” in Steveston on Canada Day, added Dickson.
On draught will be four Fuggles creations: Strawberry Belgian Wit; Destiny IPA; Gin and Lime Pilsner; and special Kiwami Plum Sour. Each beer costs $6 and wine and ciders from Country Vines Winery cost $7.
“Salmon Festival will also have all the traditional favorites including a pancake breakfast, chow mein, and of course our famous salmon bake that sells out every year,” noted Dickson.
"Make sure you come hungry as there will be plenty of food vendors to choose from,” she added.
2018 Steveston Salmon Festival by Graeme Wood on Scribd
