Cobden hosts Taste of the Valley market October 17

The County of Renfrew's Economic Development Division is pleased to highlight the next stop in the Taste of the Valley series, an annual celebration of the people, products, and experiences that make Renfrew County a unique and vibrant place to live, work, and visit.

Originally launched more than a decade ago to showcase local food producers across the Ottawa Valley, Taste of the Valley has grown into one of the region's premier local food and artisan events. Today, the series highlights the area's rich agricultural heritage while celebrating locally crafted food and beverages, handmade products, visual arts, and cultural experiences created throughout Renfrew County.

The fourth Taste of the Valley event of the 2026 season will take place in Cobden on Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cobden Fairgrounds (43 Astrolabe Rd., Cobden). The event has been a mainstay of the Taste of the Valley festival since the beginning. 

Approximately 165 vendors from across Renfrew County will be on site, the largest Taste of the Valley yet, offering fresh local produce, handcrafted goods, artwork, baked treats, prepared foods, specialty products, and more. With exhibitors located both indoors and outdoors, visitors can enjoy a full day of shopping, exploring, and connecting with local farmers, food producers, artists, and artisans, rain or shine.

“Taste of the Valley is a wonderful annual celebration of local entrepreneurship and the people who make Renfrew County such a great place to live and visit,” says Whitewater Region Mayor Neil Nicholson. “We’re excited to see our farmers, business owners, and local artisans at the event showcasing the incredible local talent we have right here in Whitewater Region.”

Taste of the Valley events are presented in partnership with host municipalities throughout Renfrew County. Remaining 2026 events include:

• Township of Whitewater Region – October 17, Cobden Fairgrounds
• Town of Renfrew – December 12, Holiday Edition, Renfrew Armouries

“We are excited to be hosting Taste of the Valley in Cobden once again; this annual event has become a fall tradition in Renfrew County,” says Scott Hamilton, Economic Development Coordinator with Invest Renfrew County. “This year we are expanding our layout to include even more local vendors. Taste of the Valley celebrates not just food, but also woodworking, artistry, and the creative spirit of Renfrew County."

The Taste of the Valley series continues to support local economic development by creating opportunities for producers, makers, artists, and small businesses to connect directly with consumers while encouraging residents and visitors to shop local and explore communities across Renfrew County.

For more information about Taste of the Valley, visit www.TOTV.ca or follow @TasteoftheValleyRC on social media.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Scott Hamilton                        Economic Development Coordinator             613-735-7288

Tina Peplinskie                        Media Relations Coordinator                         613-735-7288 

The Taste of the Valley returns to the Cobden Fairgrounds on October 17 for the largest vendor offering in the festival history. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with 165 vendors from across Renfrew County expected to take part.