The Soda Fest
What if your new favourite drink is something you’ve never even thought to try?
On Sunday, September 13, Sapperton Park will be filled with music, food, games — and a whole lot of soda as The Soda Fest returns for its second year.
But this isn’t just about choosing between cola and root beer. Visitors will be able to sample craft sodas, kombucha and other non-alcoholic drinks from Canadian makers — including flavours they may never have tried before. And yes, you get to taste before you buy.
That was one of the things people loved most last year. Mallory, the Event Organizer with the Sapperton Business Collective (SBC), said visitors enjoyed being able to try unusual flavours without committing to a whole pack.
Some of the flavours can be surprisingly complex. Mallory compared tasting Heartberry Soda’s ancestral and Indigenous-inspired flavours to wine tasting — one flavour may hit first, followed by something completely different.
Last year, the SBC weren’t sure what kind of turnout to expect. They hoped perhaps 500 people would come.
Almost 1,000 showed up.They went through nearly all 1,000 reusable tasting cups and ran out of 500 wristbands within the first few hours.
That response made bringing The Soda Fest back an easy decision. This year, there will be a larger main stage, a full live music lineup, more lawn games and more food vendors.
Throughout the Music Acts you will find local music teachers from New West's Motion & Music Performing Arts Academy, and New West's Quayside Voices acapella group will return to close out the day. SBC also listened to feedback from last year.
Metro Vancouver’s Water Wagon will be on site so visitors can refill reusable water bottles and rinse the ShareWares tasting cups between samples, and there will be more seating for people who want to relax and enjoy the music. Make sure to bring your reusable bottle to stay hydrated AND eco-friendly!
But Soda Fest is also meant to get people exploring Sapperton itself.
A digital event map will highlight businesses and restaurants open that Sunday, encouraging visitors to wander East Columbia Street, discover a shop they haven’t visited before or stay in the neighbourhood for dinner. For Mallory, that sense of discovery is really what the event is all about.
Maybe you discover a new soda. Maybe you discover a new band.
Or maybe you leave thinking: “I should come out to Sapperton more often.”
The Soda Fest
Sunday, September 13, 202611:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sapperton Park + Field (315 E Columbia Street)
Admission: FREE
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