Smoke’s Poutinerie celebrates 10 years supporting We Care with a 12-hour tribute to fans featuring thousands of pounds of FREE Poutine, live ‘80s rock, and world-class competitions
Most Brands thank their customers with a coupon. Smoke’s Poutinerie throws a 12-hour rock n’ roll stage show and invites 20,000 of its “closest friends”.
Smoke’s Poutinerie is shutting down one of Canada’s busiest public squares, serving FREE Poutine for 12 straight hours, filling the stage with live ‘80s rock and welcoming the world’s top-ranked competitive eaters for the ultimate Fan Appreciation Party!
On Saturday, September 19, Smoke-A-Palooza will return to Toronto’s Sankofa Square for the biggest thank-you party in Smoke’s Poutinerie’s history. Smoke-A-Palooza isn’t just another festival, it’s the one day each year Smoke’s Poutinerie gets to crank the volume up to eleven for the Fans who have helped make the Brand what it is today. This year, the celebration will hit an even higher note: 10 years supporting Canadian non-profit We Care, with more than $1 million raised to help children with disABILITIES attend fully accessible summer camps.
“Smoke-A-Palooza is our BIGGEST excuse to throw one hell of a party for the Fans who’ve fueled us since day one,” says Mark Cunningham, President & COO, Smoke’s Poutinerie. “Every year, we look for BIGGER, BADDER, BOLDER ways to say thank you, and this year, we’re amping up the experience with 12 hours of FREE Poutine, Rockin’ Entertainment and totally outrageous Eating Competitions!!! But what makes this year especially meaningful is hitting the 10-year milestone supporting We Care with more than $1 million raised to date; there’s no better place to celebrate it than at Smoke-A-Palooza.”
One of the day’s headline attractions is the Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship (WPEC), the largest Poutine eating contest in the world and the only event of its kind officially sanctioned by Major League Eating. Returning champion Joey Chestnut will defend his legendary world record of consuming 28lbs of Poutine in just 10 minutes, alongside fellow top-ranked eaters Miki Sudo and Nick Wehry, with additional competitors to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Ryan Smolkin Memorial CEO Challenge also returns, where corporate leaders swap boardrooms for Poutine boxes in a fast-paced, two-minute showdown supporting We Care. Created in honour of Smoke’s Poutinerie Founder and Chief Entertainment Officer Ryan Smolkin, the challenge continues a tradition of giving back.
From the opening riff to the final encore, Smoke-A-Palooza’s soundtrack comes courtesy of musical acts, including Destroyer Canada, 80s Gone Wild, and ACDC Eras, delivering wall-to-wall power chords, big hair and iconic anthems all night long! Fans will also experience Psycho Circus Entertainers, interactive experiences, games, prizes, a Beer & Merch Tent with proceeds supporting We Care, and, naturally, plenty of FREE Poutine.
Smoke-A-Palooza 2026 is proudly sponsored by Brand partners, such as, Sysco, Coca-Cola Canada, Maple Leaf Foods and Crowe Soberman, whose continued support helps make this one-of-a-kind celebration possible.
Whether coming for the FREE Poutine, the live music, the competitions or simply to celebrate alongside thousands of fellow Poutine Lovers, Smoke-A-Palooza will deliver a full day of unforgettable moments, all while supporting a cause that continues to change lives.
Throw up the horns. Bring your crew and get ready to crank it to eleven!!! Smoke’s Poutinerie will handle the rest. Come Hungry. Leave Legendary.
Can’t make it to Sankofa Square? Smoke-A-Palooza will be livestreamed on Smoke’s Poutinerie YouTube and Twitch, so Fans everywhere can experience all the action.
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