If you've never had the pleasure of drinking bubble tea, you're in for a treat. In fact, the perfect introduction for you to experience the vast selection of flavours, toppings, textures and tastes, can happen at the family-friendly Canada Bubble Tea Festival in Burnaby, the largest in Canada.
The Canadian Community Action and Restorative Empowerment Society (CCARES) will host the second annual festival from July 7 to 9 at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium, where attendance is expected to reach up to 40,000 people over three days. Everyone is welcome to share in this Taiwanese-inspired beverage and exciting tea culture, well-known and loved by many Asians and Asian-Canadians.
From milk tea classics, fresh tea, slushee, and fruity styles, to cold brew and smoothie versions, plus all the modern flavour combinations, when you purchase a bubble tea (aka pearl milk tea, boba tea), with its chewy tapioca pearls, you’re not only treating yourself to something truly tasty, you're also helping support local organizations.
"It's not only a unique event for festival goers, but we also want to use it to fund-raise," says Eric Yang, festival chairman. "Our society has two programs, one for post-secondary student scholarships, the other for funding start-ups, available to all Canadian small businesses."
Profits from the Bubble Tea Festival's limited edition bubble tea flavours, Maple in Deer Lake Fog, Rose of Burnaby Mountain, and Hollywood North Cranberry Apple Cider, will be donated to Burnaby Hospital Foundation, supporting the hospital redevelopment, the Taiwanese Canadian Scholarship, and Social Diversity for Children Foundation.
Taste of Taiwan
"This year, we've added the theme, Taste of Taiwan series, which takes you to our first stop: the Sleepless City of Taipei," says Yang. "We'll explore Taipei's top four famous streets: Ximending, Yongkang Street, Jiufen Old Street, and Raohe Street while enjoying tasty bubble tea and Asian street foods."
Yang cites some notable standouts, including Bruno (booth #77). "Try their Bruno SmashBurger, Honey Butter Furikake tater tots, and Green Tea Prawn & Soba Salad," he suggests. "There's also AsUsual Cafe (booth #5), with flavours of bubble tea & bubble waffle, and Taiwan Way (booth #79), serving meatballs, tempura, and dumplings."
Eight beloved tea brands with their eclectic offerings will quench your thirst: Truedan, Blend Bubble Tea, Chatime, Teapressu, AsUsual Café, Juicy Green, Sasaya Birstro and Gram Cafe & Pancakes.
This year, approximately 100 booths, compared to the 65 participants in 2022, provide a wide range of offerings, including games with prizes and various merchants. Expect Stellar Play bubble soccer, free ice cream giveaway, bumper karts, entertainment zones, stage performances, and concerts, with headliners Cocoa Project, known for their high-energy performance and unique sound, taking the stage on July 8 and 9 from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Outdoor movie nights
"Enjoy some bubble tea and street foods while watching Spider-Man: No Way Home and Minions: the Rise of Gru," reveals Yang.
"The festival is a good way to relax and unwind while spending time with family and friends. Plus, it provides an excellent outlet for people to experience something other than traditional culture and learn new things while having fun.
"We bring communities together to share the tea culture and create memories that last a lifetime."
Tickets are available online, with one-day passes costing $9.99 plus GST and a three-day pass costing $14.99 plus GST. Children 12 years and under are FREE. Youths 25 years and under with disabilities are also free.
The event will run:
- July 7: 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- July 8: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- July 9: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
For more information, visit vanbubbleteafest.ca.
