1

In 1967 Canada was celebrating its centennial year and every town in the country was planning ways to properly commemorate the occasion. In Ingersoll the committee decided that because the town was known for its cheese production they should have a Cheese and Wine Festival as part of the celebrations.

2

A hat from the Ingersoll Cheese and Wine Festival
1985?
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

3

A brochure advertising the Ingersoll Cheese and Wine Festival
6 September 1984
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

4

A brochure advertising the Ingersoll Cheese and Wine Festival
6 September 1984
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

5

A mug from the Ingersoll Cheese and Wine Festival
1985
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

6

The committee worked hard to raise funds and did most of the legwork themselves to save money. The events at what would turn out to be the first of the annual festivals included a staged bank robbery featuring dozens of historic automobiles, a trip by the town's centennial queen to Ottawa to present a cheese to parliament, and a wine and cheese tasting party that was a rousing success.

7

A ticket for Cabaret Night, an event of the Ingersoll Cheese and Wine Festival
23 September 1977
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

8

A ticket to Sunday Brunch, an event of the Ingersoll Cheese and Wine Festival.
18 September 1977
Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada

9

A ticket for the Festival Ball, an event of the Ingersoll Cheese and Wine Festival
16 September 1978
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

10

Over the years more popular events were added like the Mayor's Grape Stomp in which the mayors of other cities like Robert Anthony of Alma, Michigan and William Dennison of Toronto would come to Ingersoll and face off against the local mayor by stomping on a tubful of grapes to see who could make the most juice.

11

A plaque (given to the winner of the Mayor's Grape Stomp)
1979
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

12

Ingersoll Cheese and Wine Festival Memorabilia
1980?
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

13

Ingersoll Cheese and Wine Festival Memorabilia
1980?
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

14

A card from the Ingersoll Cheese and Wine Festival
1985
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada