FOODSTOCK attracted between 28,000 and 30,000 people Sunday, despite occasional rain and cool temperatures. Close to 100 chefs presented gourmet dishes cooked from fire pits and musicians were everywhere. Photos/DAN PELTON & KATHEY STANTON Last Sunday’s antiquarry Foodstock almost became an historical event of 100 chefs cooking outdoors in the rain, but the massive crowd in attendance stayed dry most of the day, although somewhat chilled in temperatures hovering around 13ºC, and made cooler by the wind.

The event might not have been historical or record-setting by worldwide Guinness records, but it must have been a record for single-day attendance in Dufferin, as an estimated 28,000- 30,000 people crowded around the ad hoc outdoor “kitchen” at the sugar bush to sample the creations of the noteworthy chefs. Earlier estimates had hoped for 20,000.

The only events that have ever attracted that close to that number would have been singleday ones when longgone Mulmur’s Rockhill Park featured such as Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Mandrell sisters, and others of that ilk – at least once with five such names all at once, but then you paid a stipulated admission or you didn’t attend.

To gain perspective, the attendance number equates to the population of Orangeville, or about half that of Dufferin County, or nearly five times that of Shelburne.

It wasn’t entirely clear how many had come to show support for the anti-quarry fight, and how many for the food. But all heard from the chefs and from the stage that what they were sampling had come mostly from land that surrounded them, and it was alleged that such crops as these are threatened by the proposal for a deep, open-pit limestone quarry.

Foodstock, the brainchild of internationally renowned Singhampton chef Michael Stadtlander who heads an association of Canadian chefs, might also have warranted widespread historical recognition as admission was free if you so chose, and otherwise by donation, to sample special dishes that might otherwise fetch upwards of $100 per person, especially when the entertainment has been thrown in.

People began arriving early for the event.

The speed limit on CR 124 had been cut temporarily to 50 km/h from 80 to accommodate left-turning traffic, and there was OPP control of traffic, with everything reduced to a snail’s pace from as far south as Horning’s Mills by shortly after 10 a.m.

No one, including quarry proponent The Highland Companies, missed the message of the day.

But Highland is unfazed and, according to a statement, appears glad that the event happened.

“We continue to listen to the comments about our proposed quarry, including those expressed by Foodstock this weekend. We understand that securing Ontario’s local food supply, preserving farmland and protecting the natural environment are tremendously important.

“Today, our farming operations produce almost 100 million pounds of potatoes a year.

“We’re committed to ongoing agriculture and food production – in fact, even with an operational quarry, our agriculture production capacity will not be impacted. And, as we continue to stress, maintaining the quality of the water and the environment is our priority.

“Our plan is about balance. The Melancthon Quarry is designed to provide a long-term supply of aggregate to address Ontario’s critical need while preserving farmland and protecting the natural environment.

“If you’re interested in learning more about the quarry, please visit www.melancthonquarry.ca or follow us on Twitter @ TeamHighland,” said Highland’s Lindsay Broadhead in a statement released Monday.