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By Ian Gustafson

Celebrity guest appearance

Alberta Food & Beverage Expo happening this Saturday in Red Deer

Mar 27, 2026 | 6:02 AM

The Alberta Food & Beverage Expo is set to return to Red Deer this week.

On Saturday, March 28, residents can head to Westerner Park from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. to attend the award-winning trade show that will feature hundreds of exhibitors.

Chris Meilleur, CEO of MeiBel Consulting and the Alberta Food and Beverage Expo, said they’re on track to match last year’s attendance numbers, which led to their biggest year yet of approximately 7,000 people.

He said this year they have more restaurants attending than in the past.

“One question I always get asked is what the ratio of food to beverage and it’s usually 50-50… but we have a lot of food this year, so the show is growing on that side as well, which was the intention of the show to begin with to highlight those local restaurants and to tie beverage into it,” he said.

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“It looks like it’s going to be a good one this year. People aren’t going to leave on empty stomachs.”

The expo will feature restaurants from Red Deer and central Alberta, as well as breweries and distilleries from the area, Alberta, and from around the world.

Meilleur said it was deemed the social event of the year, and not only is it a popular trade show, but also a great way to spend a night out. Whether you like trying different foods or testing different drinks, the Expo presents plenty of unique options.

“That’s one thing we hear a lot is people are running into friends they haven’t seen in a while or old coworkers,” he said. “It becomes an opportunity to run into people you know in town while having a good time, breaking bread, and all that kind of stuff.”

This year, American actor and director Matthew Lillard, who’s best known for his roles in movies such as Scream and Scooby-Doo, is set to come to the event.

He was supposed to attend last year’s expo, but cancelled. This time around, Lillard is planning to promote his new whiskey called Quest End’s Dragon. Meilleur said there will be samples available.

“He intends to be there at his booth pouring his whiskey, but he’s also going to come out and visit the restaurants and try food. I can’t see him just sitting behind the booth; he’s going to want to try other products. He’s a connoisseur,” Meilleur said.

The event also made space for a couple of charities who are hoping to raise funds at the event, including Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer and the Red Deer Firefighters Children’s Charity.

The Alberta Food & Beverage Expo is an 18+ event, and tickets are available online for $21 per person or can be purchased at the door for $25.

“Just come hungry. Make sure you have a designated driver if you’re planning on having some beverages,” he said.

For more information, visit eatdrinkalberta.com.