TeaFest

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAY 2, 2026

-SAVE THE DATE-

Tea enthusiasts of all levels,
from curious beginners to casual sippers to aficionados,
are invited to come together to celebrate all things tea!

 

Taste your way across 30+ vendors.
Watch demonstrations. Join workshops.
Learn about the rich and diverse history and culture of tea.
Shop local vendors for your favourite teas and teawares.
Connect with other fellow tea lovers in your local community.

 

 

Whether you’re just starting your tea journey
or are already deeply immersed in tea culture,
TeaFest offers something for everyone.

 

 

Date: Saturday, May 2
Time: 10:00AM-5:00PM
Sherwood Community Centre
6355 Main Street W., Milton ON l9T 2Y1

FREE parking
FREE* admission

*Donations of non-perishable food items for Food for Life will be accepted in lieu of an admission fee.

 

**Please note that there is no ATM on site.**
** Please BYOB (bring your own bag) for your purchases!**
** Milton Public Library tote bags will be available for purchase for $10.00**

 

 

 

  1. How much is admission?
    Admission is free. However, food item donations to our Library partner, Food for Life, would be greatly appreciated.
  2. This is a tea festival held by Milton Public Library. Do I need a library card to attend?
    No library card is required to attend – but if you’re from Milton and don’t have a card yet, this is the perfect opportunity to stop by the library and get your free card! If you’re from the Halton area and have a library card from Oakville, Burlington or Halton Hills, you can stop by and create a free Milton Public Library account using your home library card.
  3. Why are you holding a tea festival in May?
    Milton Public Library is holding TeaFest in celebration of a number of monthly observances in May (Asian Heritage Month and South Asian Heritage Month) as well as Mother’s Day. Plus, May has lovely spring weather where both hot and cold tea will be equally refreshing.
  4. Which vendors will be there?
    Check out the bottom of the TeaFest website (here) to see which vendors will be in attendance. Click on each vendor’s logo to be taken to their website.
  5. Will there be an ATM on site?
    No, there will not be an ATM on site. Most vendors will bring their own payment terminal to take debit and credit cards. But, it’s always good to have cash on hand.
  6. Will there be food available on site?
    Yes, there is an arena concession stand on site with hamburgers, hotdogs, other friend foods and soft drinks. There are a number of local eateries within a 2-3 minute driving distance of Sherwood Community Centre.
  7. Is the building accessible?
    Yes, the Sherwood Community Centre is an accessible building. There is accessible parking available and all doors leading in and out of the building are automatic. Vendor booths have been spaced to allow for good traffic flow. Vendors booths will also be configured for accessibility.
  8. I couldn’t sign up for a program because it was full but I want to attend.
    In order to allow the program facilitators to adequately prepare, an attendance cap is put in place. If there is a session you are interested in and were not able to pre-register for, please come to the session ten minutes before it is schedule to begin. Cancellations/no-show spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Thank-you for your understanding.
  9. Will attendees receive a shopping bag?
    Please BYOB (bring your own bag). Attendees will not be given a a shopping bag and there is no requirement for vendors to supply bags for purchases (though some may at their own discretion).

 

Registration opens
Saturday, April 18 at 10:00AM

While there is no limit on how many programs you can register for,
please be considerate of others who may also wish to participate.

Attendance will be taken 5 minutes prior to the start of the session.
Those who are not checked in will have their spot filled by a walk-in.

If registration is full, spaces have been reserved for walk-ins.
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to the program start.
No-shows or cancellations will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • Discover the elegance of the gaiwan, a centuries-old Chinese tea vessel where thoughtful design and ritual come together in perfect harmony. This talk explores its rich history, purposeful form, and the refined brewing method that continues to shape the art of tea today.
    • presented by Linda Gaylard (The Tea Stylist), Tea Guild of Canada
    • Register here: https://beinspired.libcal.com/event/4011978
    • Experience the serene beauty of a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony in this immersive demonstration. Learn about the history and the art of preparing and serving tea while delving into the rich history and cultural significance of The Way of Tea, 茶道 (chadō).
    • Momo Yoshida, Momo Tea Co
    • Register here: https://beinspired.libcal.com/event/4013174
    • Explore the journey of Pu’er tea, one of China’s most treasured teas. Learn about its rich history and cultural significance, as well as the traditional processing methods that shape its unique character. Discover proper brewing techniques to fully appreciate its flavour, and discuss the potential health benefits associated with Pu’er tea.
    • Franco Li, Chin-tea Studio
    • Register here: https://beinspired.libcal.com/event/4011980
    • An elegant demonstration of a furisode kimono dressing – without the use of any buttons or zippers. Witness the transformation of a 4-metre obi into a breathtaking butterfly-shaped masterpiece, showcasing the grace and beauty of this traditional attire.
    • Hiroko Puopolo, Salon de Tea + Kimono
    • Register here: https://beinspired.libcal.com/event/4012116
    • Sip your way through your own tea garden with Tea Specialist, Stacey Campbell.
      Whether you garden on a window sill, in a container or in a small, sunny patch – come learn to plant, grow and enjoy healthy herbal teas that will have you sipping all summer. Easy to grow! No green thumb required! Delicious and healthy samples provided. Please bring your favourite tea cup.
    • Stacey Campbell, Soul Tea Company
    • Register here: https://beinspired.libcal.com/event/4012118
    • Explore the history and superstition surrounding tea, including the tradition of reading fortunes through its leaves—an art rooted in ancient divinatory practices like geomancy, where symbols and patterns formed by random objects are interpreted. Learn about tasseomancy (tea leaf reading), the art and practice of divination through the symbolic patterns left by tea leaves in a cup. Discover how this practice evolved into the art it is today, including its origins, mystery, and the tools and methods used. Engage in an interactive, fun, and informative session open to all ages.
    • Amy Lou Taylor, TAoTaT’s Mystic Tea & Brooms
    • Register here: https://beinspired.libcal.com/event/4012087
    • Explore sencha and various herbal tea blends. Gain foundational knowledge and practical tips to begin experimenting with various herbs, as well as understanding sencha, and the wonderful benefits they each have, while enjoying a relaxing time together.
    • Althea Fraser, Shea Essence
    • Register here: https://beinspired.libcal.com/event/4012117
We’re looking for passionate vendors to join us at TeaFest 2026.
If you offer unique tea blends, tea accessories, or related products,
we’d love to have you share your offerings with our tea-loving community.
Apply now to be part of this exciting event!

 

*** APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 CLOSED ***
Thank-you!

Please check back in late 2026 for 2027 application dates.


SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION NOW




Vendors are responsible for the following:

  1. Setting up booth between 6:30-8:00PM on Friday, May 1 OR 8:00-9:30AM on Saturday, May 2.
  2. Tearing down booth between 5:00-6:00PM on Saturday, May 2.
  3. Ensuring booth is maintained, tidy, and clean between 10:00AM-5:00PM
  4. Providing secure payment options, including required technology. Public WIFI is available. (NOTE: there is no ATM on site)
  5. Providing any booth materials that are required but not listed in “Vendor Space” (see below)
  6. Providing free samples of products for the public
  7. Providing paper cups for sampling
  8. Providing kettles, carafes, and/or other water heater/tea dispensers
  9. Providing proof of liability insurance OR signing a release of liability contract
  10. OPTIONAL: Providing a door prize donation

Includes:

  1. One or Two 6-foot tables
  2. Two chairs per table (up to four chairs total)
  3. Free and accessible parking
  4. Limited access to tap water
  5. Limited access to garbage cans

Excludes:

  1. Payment systems, floats/change, Interac/terminals
  2. Tablecloths
  3. Power bars
  4. Access to kitchen or dishwashing facilities
  5. Carts or dollies for transportation of materials
  6. Sample supplies (e.g. paper tea cups, tea pots, carafes, napkins, etc.)
  7. Display items/furniture
  8. Liability insurance

A Certificate of Liability Insurance that is usually required for special events is sufficient. If you are acquiring a certificate of insurance specifically for this event, please provide the following information if possible:

  • $5 Million Commercial General Liability Insurance on an Occurrence Basis
  • Cross liability & severability of interest clauses included under the CGL Policy
  • Naming the Town of Milton as Additional Insured (Town of Milton, 150 Mary Street, Milton ON, L9T 6Z5)
  • Indicating a description of what the COI pertains to, ie. Facility Rental
  • Providing 30 days’ notice of cancellation
  • Signature of authorized representative
  1. What if I need hot water?
    Hot water stations will be available for vendors to fill carafes that can be brought to-and-from booths as needed. Please keep in mind that tea tasting need not include hot tea only and many participants will enjoy the brew in a variety of forms. Event volunteers will be on site to help accommodate, and carts will be provided for carafes as needed.
  2. Can tables be reconfigured?
    Yes, tables can be configured in any manner desired so long as wheelchair accessibility is accommodated and other booth’s space is not impeded upon.
  3. Can additional name tags be requested?
    Yes, additional name tags beyond the four included can be provided upon request. Each table comes with two name tags (up to two tables/four name tags).
  4. How many chairs will I get?
    Each table comes with one chairs. For two tables, two chairs will be provided. Vendors are welcome to bring their own chairs/stools for use if needed.
  5. When is set-up?
    Early set-up is possible on Friday, May 1 from 6:30-8:00pm. On Saturday, May 2, set-up begins from 8:00AM. Tables are to be set-up by 9:30AM. There is a bit of a distance between the parking lot to the vendor area, so you may wish to bring a dolly if you have one. There will be a limited number of library carts available to help bring in items.
  6. When is tear-down?
    Booths must be disassembled between 5:00-6:00PM on May 2.

 

 




SPONSORS

THE WATER STORE

The Water Store is a locally-owned and operated water treatment and water supply store located in Milton. We provide the highest quality of customer service and care in the bulk water and water treatment supply industry.

The Water Store is an independently-owned member of The Water Store Group. There are 17 Water Stores that bring over 30 years of experience in the water treatment and supply business to Southern Ontario. Together, we are one of the largest water treatment providers in Canada. Whether your water needs are residential, industrial or commercial, we are here to help.
We are excited to take on any water challenges and to improve the lives of our customers by satisfying all of their water needs.

 

 


ABOUT THE ARTIST

ARORA BORI

Meet the artist behind the TeaFest logo/imagery, Parmeet Arora Bori.

 

Parmeet is a mixed media artist/ Illustrator, based in Toronto who loves indulging in nostalgia – the comfort and protection of her joys of childhood.
Painting brings her joy and offers a place to colourfully acknowledge and celebrate the beauty in world be big or small. After losing her mom to cancer in 2015 and becoming a mother herself within consecutive years, she started painting aNd illustrating art which creates a sense of repose, growth, recollection and belonging. She loves painting objects that ignite happy memories related to family, childhood, food based on her travels, personal experiences and various stories she enjoyed as a child.