The year is 1954 and the Hensall Kinsmen’s plan to host the first ever Ontario Bean Fes­tival on Labour Day. The event received overwhelming support from all industry leaders. Farmers, dealers, canners and others connected with the bean industry are excited for a holiday celebration to highlight the im­portance of beans. They planned a baked bean meal for the day including a bean supper in the arena, a huge parade and ball games in the afternoon and street dance in the evening.
 

In 1965, Zurich decided it was time to host their own festival after seeing the success of the Hensall festival over the years. It was decided that the first Zurich Bean Festival would be held in August of 1966. People came from everywhere with a higher attendance than the committee forecasted. People came from Toronto, Kitchener, other provinces and the United States of America. With close to 3000 people fed, there was about 600 pounds of white beans prepared and first cooked in a large bean cooker then baked in local ovens as well as at the Tasty Nu Bakery for approximately two hours. There were about 40 people involved in cooking the first bean festival meal which has become acclaimed as some of the best baked beans around with people continuing to return just for the baked beans and pork chop meal.