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10 Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, August 11, 2016 | COMING UP Hospice relies on fundraisers The non-profit Evergreen hospice care centre offers free services and has been active for 25 years. Last year, Evergreen provided support for 120 families in Stouffville alone, while the centre also serves Markham and Thornhill. As government funding only covers 20 per cent of its budget, Evergreen aims to promote awareness of their services and raise funds with the event. Remaining funds are raised through donations from sponsorships, businesses and individuals. "This is a wonderful way for Evergreen to showcase our services to the residents of Whitchurch-Stouffville in a community setting," said Evergreen Hospice executive director Jan Pearce in a Taste of Stouffville media release. "We appreciate the support of the community and encourage those who require our services to contact us, and those who wish to enjoy the local festivities to come out and join the fun." The Tipsy Cow owner Aravin Appa and chef Tava Thambi display butter chicken and an array of appetizers. The Main Street restaurant is taking part in the Taste of Stouffville in Memorial Park Aug. 27. STAFF PHOTO/SUSIE KOCKERSCHEIDT Maestro Fresh-Wes, chefs in spotlight at tasty food festival By Ali Raza aliraza@yrmg.com P R O U D LY S P O N S O R E D BY M E T R O L A N D M E D I A G R O U P Celebrate the town's local food and drink at the Taste of Stouffville. Evergreen Hospice presents the Taste of Stouffville, a family-friendly event featuring local restaurants, craft beers brewed nearby and entertainment from a wide-ranging lineup of performers, including Toronto-based rapper and record producer Maestro Fresh-Wes. The event is set for Aug. 27, in Stouffville Memorial Park from 2 to 11 p.m. Local vendors from the town ­ both businesses and individuals ­ will also be selling goods. Local participating restaurants include The Earl of Whitchurch, Fishbone Bistro, Mister Treats Soft Serve, The Meat Merchant, The Smokery Kitchen and Bar and The Tipsy Cow. "I'm not sure people are aware of all the great local sources of food and drink available and entertainment," said events organizer and fund development coordinator Rebecca Simkin. "This will be an opportunity to get to know some of them and some of the restaurants they might not have tried yet and some of the excellent brew that's being brewed, if not in Stouffville, but nearby." Breweries are still being confirmed. Performers include Quincy Bullen, Shannon Beresford, The Ben Hudson Band, Mayfly's Landing, Man Made Forest and Triple Play. Maestro Fresh-Wes is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. The rapper and record producer is called as the "godfather" of Canadian hip hop. "He (Maestro Fresh-Wes) is a really good supporter of charitable endeavours," Simkin said. "There are a lot of people excited to see him perform." Children's entertainment includes a bouncy castle, obstacle course, mechanical bull, wrecking ball, giant Connect Four, a magician and petting zoo. The annual summer event enters its fifth year, while Evergreen Hospice is hosting and organizing the event for the second year. Taste of Stouffville originally began as an event run by Stouffville resident John Bouwmeister Jr. He organized it for three years until Evergreen Hospice came on board. "John and us have had a long relationship," Simkin said. "He thought of us when he tried to make the event grow and he needed some support as well. We thought it was a great idea to do it." A committee of organizers working with Evergreen Hospice makes decisions on which restaurants and vendors participate; organizers are open to applications from the community as well. Last year's event had 2,000 guests, despite the cold and rainy day. This year, tents are set up and the event will run "rain or shine", Simkin says. Admission is $5 per person aged 16 and up, children have free admission. Visitors will be stamped in case they want to leave and return. Tickets are available online (tasteofstouffville. stouffville.com/wp/) and at the door. Simkin believes the event is a chance to show what Stouffville has to offer while informing the community of the hospice's work. "Certainly, we don't have to look far to find great stuff," Simkin said about Stouffville.