Supper Market returns with 11 bands, food trucks and charity bar

The Crystal Beach Waterfront Supper Market returns June 25 with 11 bands, 14 food trucks and a Kin Club bar that has raised nearly $18,000 for local charities over two years.

The market will run from 5 to 9 p.m. each Thursday until September 3, with bands taking the stage from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Event manager Dan Strugar told Fort Erie Radio that the Ridgeway-Crystal Beach Kin Club selects a different local charity to donate all bar profits to each week, with charity applications open until May 31.

Strugar said on Friday that 100 per cent “of the profits go right back into the community, which over the last two years has totalled just a hair under $18,000.”

The Trip, a Fort Erie Tragically Hip tribute band, will headline the first Thursday night show at Crystal Beach Waterfront Park, returning after rain cancelled their scheduled appearance last year.

Middle of Nowhere makes their Supper Market debut week two, July 2, bringing a four-piece classic rock and cover band to the waterfront stage.

Jasmine T returns for week three, July 9, a country-rock-blues act that dropped their debut single, ‘Whiskey Makes Me Mean’ this past year and landed at No. 11 on the Canadian indie country chart.

Neon Dirty headlines week four on July 16, the local favourite that got kids off the grass and onto the dance floor last summer. Strugar noted that Neon Dirty “really gets the kids involved, too, which is something that we love having to see.”

Hard Rock Hooligans return for week five on July 23, back by popular demand after “awesome feedback” from their debut last summer.

Cherry Bomb makes their Supper Market debut week six, July 30, a five-piece band bringing modern pop, rock anthems and dance-floor classics to the waterfront.

The Hammer Tones debut week seven, August 6, playing “mostly classic and modern rock.” The Hamilton-based three-piece band has gained a strong local following, playing venues across the region.

Maple Jam returns week eight, August 13, bringing 80s-to-2000s rock and country back to the park for what Strugar said is their fourth or fifth appearance at the market.

Westwind returns week nine, August 20, bringing one of Fort Erie’s most established bands back to the waterfront. Strugar said several members go back to the Ridgeway street dance scene roughly 25 to 30 years ago. Strugar noted, “We’re more than happy to have those guys back.”

905 South will debut at the Supper Market on week 10, August 27, a country act that Strugar said is made up of the same musicians from local band Stuck in the 90s.

The September 3 show remains a mystery. Strugar said the final booking could depend on the weather because The Trip may slide into the final date if rain cancels the opening show.

“I’m kind of sitting on Week 11 just because I don’t have it finalized yet and I’ve got to see what happens Week 1. But I don’t want to make a promise that isn’t going to happen,” said Strugar.

If The Trip plays June 25, Strugar said he is working on a final act the market has never had before.

“It’s something that I think is going to be pretty big,” said Strugar.

New this year, the Kin Club is installing upgraded lighting under the pavilion stage. Strugar credited the Crystal Beach BIA, including president Kirk Fretz and Robin Bannerman, along with Councillor Tom Lewis, for supporting the upgrade.

Karma Curry, a Fort Erie-based food truck, joins the food truck lineup for the first time this season alongside roughly a dozen returning favourites.

A free shuttle will run from the Grove on Erie Road to the waterfront park, about a three-minute ride.

The parking lot at Crystal Beach Waterfront Park reopened to the public last year after the Town of Fort Erie worked with the Kin Club to resolve access.

“The parking situation we resolved last year, which was awesome,” said Struger. “The town was great to work with us on that, and I know that was a thorn in a lot of people’s side a couple of years ago.”

The full vendor and food truck list is expected to appear on the Crystal Beach Waterfront Supper Market Facebook page shortly.

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