Butter tarts and ice cream – could there be a more mouth-watering combination!

Media Release

Butter tarts and ice cream – could there be a more mouth-watering combination!

For Immediate Release

(March 21, 2025, Midland ON) Canada’s original and largest butter tart festival and Canada’s largest independent ice cream manufacturer have formed a sweet connection.

Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival is pleased to announce Chapman’s as the festival’s presenting sponsor for 2025 and 2026. As part of this new agreement, the festival will now be known as Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival presented by Chapman’s.

“We are honoured that Chapman’s, a reputable Canadian company that makes delicious and quality products, has chosen to align themselves with our festival as our presenting sponsor,” said Mayor Bill Gordon. “We welcome them as part of Midland’s butter tart family and look forward to sharing a butter tart or two with them at this year’s festival.”

Chapman’s, a Markdale-based company that has been making ice cream and frozen treats since 1973, will be introducing their butter tart ice cream to their line of Super Premium Plus ice creams.

“We are delighted to join the largest butter tart festival in Canada with our new Butter Tart luxury ice cream,” said Ashley Chapman, COO of Chapman’s Ice Cream. “We are excited to put this new product side-by-side with the most celebrated butter tart creations. We are confident that our interpretation of this quintessential Canadian treat will find its place in the hearts of many Canadians.”

Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival presented by Chapman’s takes place on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Midland. The festival, which began in 2013, annually draws approximately 50,000 to 60,000 butter tart lovers to enjoy this family-friendly festival. And this year, festival visitors will be able to sample Chapman’s Super Premium Plus Butter Tart ice cream.

On February 26, Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival was once again named, one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario by Festivals and Events Ontario. The festival has consistently placed within the Top 100 since 2019.

The one-day festival includes the Egg Farmers of Ontario Butter Tart Contest where both professional and home bakers compete for awards and the recognition of baking the best butter tarts in the province.  The admission-free festival also includes downtown merchants expanding their businesses onto the sidewalks in front of their stores, and more than 230 vendors selling everything from butter tarts to other baked goods, clothing, jewellery, home décor, and hand-crafted items.

The day also features a stage with live music, a Kids Zone, with buskers and performers entertaining visitors all day.

Visitors can access the festival by riding the Great Canadian Meat Shuttle, which offers free Midland transportation. Visitors can also ride their bike to the festival using the Trans Canada Trail and park their bike at the County of Simcoe’s bike valet.

For more information about Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival presented by Chapman’s, visit www.buttertartfestival.ca and for more information about Chapman’s, visit www.chapmans.ca.