Ontario craft beer festival canceled due to unsustainable workload

Kawartha Craft Beer Festival Cancelled Permanently

Organizers of the Kawartha Craft Beer Festival (KCBF) in Peterborough, Ontario, have announced the permanent cancellation of the event due to an unsustainable workload.

The festival, which started in 2015, will not return this year, according to a post on its website.

The organizers stated, “What many people may not realize is that since returning after COVID, KCBF has been run by a very small team of just two people, entirely in our spare time.”

They added, “As the event rebuilt and continued to grow, the workload has become more than we’re able to sustain.”

The decision to cancel was described as “not made lightly.” The organizers expressed gratitude to everyone involved over the years, including participants from the last edition in June.

“From the breweries, cideries, distilleries, food vendors, musicians, sponsors, volunteers, and staff, to every single person who bought a ticket, raised a glass, and supported local — thank you. You helped create something truly special,” the post stated.

They continued, “We are endlessly grateful for the community that showed up year after year and made the festival what it was. The memories, friendships, and shared moments will always mean the world to us.”

KCBF’s cancellation follows several other event cancellations in recent years. Some organizers cited rising costs of insurance and security as barriers to hosting events.

Last August, the organizers of Toronto Oktoberfest cancelled their event due to “current funding restraints,” but they stated they would return this year.

The Taste of the Danforth in Toronto’s Greektown was also cancelled for a second consecutive year last August.