East Coast Canada Village Named Brantford’s Favourite Village by Brant Bulletin Readers
More than 1,200 votes were cast in our search for Brantford’s favourite village.
When the Brant Bulletin invited members of the community to vote for their favourite stop during the 2025 Brantford International Villages Festival, Brantford responded in a big way.
More than 1,200 votes were submitted through the 2025 Brant Bulletin Favourite International Villages Poll, with the East Coast Canada Village receiving the most votes.
The result earned the village the 2025 Brant Bulletin Community Choice Award and recognition as the village voted favourite by the Brantford community.
I recently stopped by the Gunners Club to present the village committee with the award, take a photo with the team and get a behind-the-scenes look at what visitors can expect this year.
After walking through the village, it was easy to understand why it has become such a popular stop.
Paul Elliott, Chair of the East Coast Canada Village for 2026, said receiving the Brant Bulletin Community Choice Award was a meaningful recognition for the volunteers behind the village.
“It’s quite an honour being named favourite village,” said Elliott. “We try to strive to be the best, and it’s great that the people of Brantford have recognized it. It’s also great that you have this competition because it allows us to strive to be better.”
Two Floors of East Coast Hospitality
The East Coast Canada Village has created a two-floor experience designed to keep visitors entertained from the moment they arrive.
Guests begin downstairs, where they present their festival passport and receive a wristband for entry to the main show upstairs.
The lower level serves as a comfortable waiting and entertainment area, complete with drinks, food and live music from The Mighty Ship. It gives visitors a chance to begin the festivities while they wait for their scheduled showtime.
Donairs and dessert will be available downstairs, while the full food menu will be served upstairs during showtimes.
Once visitors make their way upstairs, the full East Coast kitchen party begins.
A Taste of Down Home
The East Coast Canada Village is not only about the music and the party. It is also an opportunity to enjoy a true taste of down-home East Coast cooking.
The menu features traditional favourites including seafood chowder, fried bologna, biscuits, baked beans and blueberry cheesecake. Donairs will also be available for anyone looking for something hearty before or after the show.
The East Coast flavour carries over to the drink menu as well, with specialty options including Screech, Screech Punch, Maple Cream and the Blue Lobster Rocket. Beer, wine, coolers, liquor and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available.
It is the kind of simple, comforting food that fits the atmosphere perfectly—good music, welcoming people and a meal that feels like it came straight from an East Coast kitchen.
Cobby’s Kitchen Party Returns
Cobby’s Kitchen Party, led by Trevor Cobb, will return to the upper hall for its third year of performances.
The band will also be joined by a fiddle player this year, adding another traditional East Coast sound to the show.
“Cobby’s Kitchen Party is happy to be providing the entertainment in the upper hall at the Gunners Club for the East Coast Village for a third year,” said Cobb.
“Every year has gotten bigger and better, with every show being sold out. It’s truly amazing to see so many people from different cultures enjoying the sounds and food of East Coast Canada.”
Cobb also credited the village committee, organizers and volunteers for creating an experience that captures the region’s legendary hospitality.
“The committee, organizers and volunteers have always done a wonderful job putting this together and showing the community that legendary East Coast hospitality,” he said.
“It’s two floors of great music, featuring The Mighty Ship in the lower hall as well. Hand-clapping, foot-stomping, table-tapping good times! Lots of dancing and a special appearance by ‘The Mummers’ at every show. Whatta ya at, b’ys!”
Music, Mummers and a Traditional Screech-In
Along with the live music and dancing, visitors can expect appearances from the Mummers throughout the evening.
Elliott will also lead the official Newfoundland screech-in ceremony for guests who are ready to become honorary Newfoundlanders.
The ceremony, costumes, music and food all contribute to an experience that feels less like a formal presentation and more like being welcomed into a lively East Coast celebration.
As Co-chair Kim Long put it, the East Coast Canada Village is simply “the place where people come to have fun and party.”
Elliott’s invitation to the people of Brantford was just as direct:
“East Coast kitchen party all the way!”
Put It on Your Village Tour
The East Coast Canada Village is a two-day village, open Friday and Saturday during the Brantford International Villages Festival.
With two floors of entertainment, live East Coast music, traditional food, dancing, Mummers and the opportunity to be officially screeched in, there are plenty of reasons to add it to your festival plans.
The people of Brantford voted it their favourite village of 2025. This year, the committee is ready to show visitors exactly why.
For anyone looking for great music, great food and a welcoming place to let loose and have fun, make sure the East Coast Canada Village is on your list.
Editor’s note: The 2025 Brant Bulletin Favourite International Villages Poll was conducted independently by the Brant Bulletin. It was not affiliated with, administered by or endorsed by the Brantford International Villages Cultural Festival.
