Elora hosts ‘Longest BBQ’ in celebration of Food Day Canada

People in Elora on putting on a culinary show for what they call the ‘Longest BBQ’ event. CTV’s Alexandra Pinto takes weather on the road.

Elora prepared to welcome thousands of people on Tuesday as the community hosted a big celebration for Canadian food.

Elora’s Longest BBQ 2025 took over the heart of downtown as a kickoff for Food Day Canada. The day encourages people to shop, cook and dine Canadian.

“It’s unbelievable. We started this event years ago and it was such a small little thing that mom started and its grown and grown and grown,” Jeff Stewart, executive director of Food Day Canada said. “Tonight, we’re going to expect somewhere between 8,000 to 10,000 people.”

Anita Stewart launched Food Day Canada in 2003. She was known for saying, “Canada is food and the world is richer for it.” She was a broadcaster, an accomplished author and Canada’s first Food Laureate at The University of Guelph and was known for being a champion for Canadian farmers and chefs.

Jeff said his mother would be proud to see how the event has flourished.

“I think she would say the same thing that we’re saying right now: we want people to choose Canadian food first. There’s an opportunity right now to support our local farmers, to support our local restaurants and really get behind this idea that choosing Canadian food first is something that builds our economy, helps the environment and its delicious!”

In the spirit of the event, over 25 local restaurants and vendors joined in the festivities in Elora.

A series of tables, adorned in red and white, stretched across a bridge from Carlton Place to East Mill. Participants were encouraged to grab a bite, sit down and share the joy of Canadian cuisine with a neighbour or a stranger.