There was talk of the Ottawa Wine and Food Festival being a victim of its own success as massive lines marked its opening on Friday.
The annual event brought thousands of people to the Ottawa Convention Centre, but not all got in – lines got as long as two hours and some people said they simply gave up.
“I had bought my drink tickets and I was like ‘Oh my God, I’m not going to get in,’” said Jeremy Gamble.
“I thought it was bad and just horrendous when we first got here, and apparently we weren’t even that bad compared to everyone else,” said Mitchell McCormack.
Festival organizers said the wait is improved from previous years, when it was closer to three hours.
“I personally have walked through the line to check and make sure that everyone’s fine,” said producer Joan Cullitan.
People on the inside that waited it out said it was worth it.
“There have been a few complaints about that, but then they get inside and they seem to be having a good time,” said Paige Cutland of Hogsback Brewery.
“It’s hard to experience events like this in Ottawa,” said Jay Earle.
Organizers were giving either a refund or a ticket for Sunday for people who didn’t get in, despite them being listed as non-refundable.
There are no tickets available for Saturday, with some still left for Sunday.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Stefan Keyes
