WindsorEats is throwing a celebration that’s all things Windsor, Ontario!

On Friday, May 19, 2023, the 519 Day Party will include live local music, special cocktail menus featuring local beverages, a market alley filled with vendors, of course, local food!

So, what’s in store for this celebration of Windsor? Here’s a look at our Ultimate Guide To 2023’s 519 Day, a complete breakdown of what to expect when you attend:


Where & When Does It Take Place?

The 519 Day Party takes place at WindsorEats, located at 400 Erie Street East from 5pm to 12am on Friday, May 19, 2023.


Is It Really Free To Attend? Really?

Yes! All guests can attend the event for free and it’s also open to families and pets.


What Will There Be To Eat?

 

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There will be 3 main food vendors at 519 Day serving up some delicious eats. First, our resident food truck, Rico Taco will be serving up Mexican food, including the incredible birria tacos that they were the first to introduce to Windsor.

Next up, Robbie’s Gourmet Sausage Co. will be serving both grilled versions of his sausages as well as frozen to take home. These sausages were named one of Windsor’s iconic foods.

Finally, you can’t celebrate Windsor without offering pizza! We’re bringing in Professor Zaaa himself, Dean Litster from Armando’s in Amherstburg.


We’re Hosting A Market in the Alley

 

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With murals lined up all down our alley entryway, we’ll be welcoming a wide variety of vendors who’ll be setting up shop and showcasing their goods all alongside the artwork!

Current vendors include:

  • Denial will be setting up and selling his artwork
  • What’s Popping will be serving up their delicious popcorn
  • Rare Apparel is offering their Windsor themed clothing
  • Pawsitively A Dog Thing is selling treats and goodies for all our furry visitors
  • Whiskeyjack Boutique will have a selection of Windsor-Essex stickers, art prints, pins, post cards and keychains along with some other goodies
  • Bunch from Drouillard Road will be setting up and selling hand picked goods from past and present soaked in nostalgia
  • Sweet Revenge Bake Shop will allow you to get your hands on some sweet treats
  • Montaneros Coffee will roll in and be offering coffee beverages

Will There Be Live Music

 

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Duh! Not only will we be having live music playing, but, we’re making sure it’ll be Windsor-themed all night long.

First, from 5pm to 7pm, former 939 The River radio host, Greg Gnyp, will be spinning his favourite tunes.

Following him, former The Loop DJ, Stephen Hargraeves, will be filling the air from 7pm to 9pm with all The Loop classics from his time at the iconic Windsor night club.

Finally, to close out the night, what better way to celebrate 519 than with Windsor’s, Huttch. They’ll perform from 9pm to 1130pm, bringing their “Sam Roberts meets The Bee Gees” style to the WindsorEats patio, fresh off a US tour with The Trews.


Get A Windsor-Themed Tattoo, For Realsies

Some sample Windsor-themed flash tattoos that will be available at the 519 Day Party at WindsorEats in Windsor, Ontario.
Some sample Windsor-themed flash tattoos that will be available at the 519 Day Party at WindsorEats in Windsor, Ontario.

You read that right! Get flash Windsor-themed tattoos on site. Heather Thibert of Tall Tide Tattoo will be set up on site offering real black and white Windsor-themed flash tattoos to any guests brave enough to get one. You’ll be able to choose a slice of pizza, whisky bottle, a 519, and more and be able to show off your Windsor pride to all.


Windsor Inspired Cocktails

We’re making some cocktails that are inspired by some pretty awesome Windsorites that inspire us!

The Dr. Don is a black Manhattan made with Lot 40 Dark Oak, Amaro, Angostura bitters and orange bitters, on the rocks, and is named after Dr. Don Livermore, the Master Blender at J.P. Wiser’s. Dr. Don Livermore is the Master Blender for J.P. Wiser’s, the largest distillery in North America that’s located right here in Windsor. He’s literal expert in whiskey-making and aging with a Bachelor’s in microbiology — as well as an MS and Ph.D in Brewing and Distilling from Edinburgh’s Heriot Watt University. The man is a rockstar in the whisky world, travelling all around the globe to showcase the amazing golden nectar of the gods that he creates right here in Whiskytown, Canada.

The Dan MacDonald is sweet and fruity just like our favourite AM800 radio host (he approved this messaging!) with vodka, Licor 43, strawberry syrup, topped with lemonade. No fartz were used – if you know Dan, you know. Dan MacDonald is the host of “The Dan MacDonald Show” on AM800 CKLW and just a lover of everything Windsor and local. He’s a huge advocate for LGBTIQA+ and a supporter of the arts and culture communities in Windsor. Oh, and he loves fartz.

Finally, our third and final cocktail inspired by a Windsorite who inspires us is the Irene Moore Davis. She’s a classic, she’s classy, and we certainly think she’s the bee’s knees. Our Irene Moore Davis Bee’s Knees uses Wolfhead’s River’s End Gin, lemon, and honey syrup. Irene is a powerhouse in the community. She’s the president of the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, and a part of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, Black Women of Forward Action, the All Write in Sin City Podcast,  BookFestWindsor, and a big part of the McDougall Street Corridor project.

We’ll also be serving several whisky based cocktails to celebrate the fact Windsor, Ontario, is known as Whiskytown Canada.


THERE’LL BE A MARGARITA BAR!

 

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That’s right. The WindsorEats location has been gaining a reputation for making some pretty kickass margaritas, so we’re utilizing our mobile bar, The Traveller, for a patio bar that will only serve our 4 margaritas and margarita flights that night.

Just remember, our flights are popular and limited. Even with lots of actual flight bases, sometimes there’s a wait as all of them are out to customers.


Windsor Themed Trivia Night

Yes, Mack Flash will still be hosting Friday Night Trivia at WindsorEats on May 19, and it will also be all Windsor-themed! Trivia night will be taking place indoors. With large crowds expected, we encourage you to get your team there early to grab a table and enjoy the atmosphere, food and drinks before the questions begin.


Join In On A Pub Crawl on Bike

Fun at Friday Night Lights in Windsor, Ontario.
Fun at Friday Night Lights in Windsor, Ontario.

On top of all the festivities, WindsorEats will also be hosting a Friday Night Lights bike ride for 519 Day! Riders deck out their bikes in bright and colourful lights as our guides lead you to two secret locations before returning to WindsorEats to finish off the night.

Tickets are only $6 in advance or $10 cash on site.