‘A beautiful site with great people’: Crystal Beach Supper Market draws crowds

The first week of this year’s Crystal Beach Waterfront Supper Market drew more than 800 people, says the event’s manager Teresa Lukianiec.

Organized by the Crystal Beach BIA, the food and drink celebration takes place every Thursday from late June until the end of August, offering a dozen vendors each week.

Lukianiec said the large crowd in the opening edition of 2024 can be attributed to the musical guest being The Trip, a well-known Tragically Hip tribute band.

The crowds have been a bit smaller since opening night on June 27, averaging about 500 people at Waterfront Park each Thursday.

But everyone in the food and hospitality field is seeing less patronage, according to the event manager.

“That’s the story everywhere, whether you’re a restaurant or a food truck,” she said.

But thankfully it’s been “so far so good” when it comes to weather, she added.

Local residents Heather and Dan Sherk try to attend a few times each season, and were enjoying a meal together at a picnic table on Thursday at about 5 p.m.

They both agreed the supper market is a nice opportunity for people who live in town to get out, but also for seasonal residents.

“It’s great, especially for people visiting the area,” said Heather.

Greg Maletta was cooking wood-fired pizzas for The Brick Oven, a Stevensville-based business that takes part each week.

He said the supper market is at a “beautiful site with great people.”

Barry and Katelyn Maybee, from Maybee’s Backyard BBQ in St. Catharines, were also set up with their offset smoker preparing Texas-style barbecue on Thursday.

“We got a great response our first week here,” said Barry, adding they plan to set up shop every other week of the market schedule.

“But so far it’s been fantastic,” he said as patrons started to arrive early Thursday.

Performing in the bandshell on July 25 was Neon Dirty.

Soul Jam will hit the stage next week on August 1.

A licensed area serving alcohol is operated by the Ridgeway-Crystal Beach Kin Club.

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