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Get back to your roots this weekend at Carrot Fest (3 photos)

Carrot Fest begins today at 4 p.m. in Bradford, kick-starting two jam-packed days of events and festivities in the town

It’s Carrot Fest!

Bradford West Gwillimbury will be getting back to its roots this weekend at a two-day street festival celebrating carrots!

The Holland Marsh is one of Canada’s top carrot-producing regions and although the marsh grows more than 60 different crops on its 7,000-plus acres, it’s carrots that are the theme of the party.

The festival starts today at 4 p.m., with a KidsZone on Holland Street West filled with bouncy castles, crafts, kids' activities and special performers – including balloon-twisting fun.

Opening ceremonies are at 6:30 p.m. on the main stage, followed by live music. The beer garden stays open until midnight.

On Holland Street East, check out the vendors, the classic cars of the Back Alley Cruisers Car Club and the musical legends performing on stage outside the Courthouse - including Neo Young and The British Invasion.

Saturday’s activities begin at 9 a.m., with the opening of the Vendors’ Market featuring hundreds of vendors and a show by The Fire Guy on the Main Stage on Simcoe Road.

There will be constant entertainment on the Main Stage, including buskers, Conkrete Stylz Break-dancing, performances by Elite Dance Corps, and live bands. The Lions Mammoth Draw Early Bird takes place at 5:30 p.m.

There are also three busker pitches on Holland Street east and west featuring magic, hula hoops, comedy, breakdancing, fire juggling, and more.

And don’t miss the Ice Cream Eating Contest at 3 Scoops, at 3 p.m., for kids 12 and under. Registration required.

The Jagger Sports BMX Stunt Shows take place at the Courthouse parking lot at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. – where the Flaming Carrot Fire Show Finale will also happen, at 7 p.m.

The KidsZone continues on Holland Street West, and at the Bradford & District Memorial Community Centre at 125 Simcoe Road, catch the AquaDogs championship trials from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., pony rides, a Youth Zone with activities and give-aways, and PWA Wrestling inside the arena – with a free show at 11:30 a.m., and paid admission at 6:30.

Downtown street closures begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, with all roads reopening by 3 a.m. on Sunday.

That’s when Carrot Fest is officially over for 2019 – but the Aquadogs Championships continue on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bradford Community Centre and the Annual Family Fun Fest, with its free bouncy castles, games, food and prizes, will take place at the Lions Park from noon to 4 p.m.

For details see www.carrotfest.ca.