Berkshire Food Festival Celebrates 11th Year
.jpg) Kate Schilling serves up a deep-fried Oreo at The Hub's table. For more photos, check out our Facebook album. |
"This is a good event, it's a perfect day and the food is spectacular," Mayor Richard Alcombright said. "The vendors outdo themselves every year. The music's great, it's been a lot of fun."
Thirteen food vendors huddled under two tents with a beer and wine tent in the middle of the half-closed Main Street. Food vendors included local favorites such as The Hub and Spice Root.
"It was better this year than last year for sure," said Matt Schilling, owner of The Hub. Schilling noted that this year saw a far better turnout than last.
.jpg) A young festival-goer got messy Sunday afternoon. |
"[Last year] it was so hot," City Council member Lisa Blackmer said. "I'm happy with the result, it was a really good turnout."
The event even attracted tourists from across the country. Blackmer said she checked IDs from Ohio and Florida while Berkshire Brewing Co. server Caitlin Allard said someone from California stopped in at the tent.
The beer scene increased from last year, with its tent attracting Holyoke's Paper City Brewery, Kelly's Package Store and more.
"It's a lot of fun because American micro-beer is taking off so we want to be right in the middle of it, so we're all over the county," said Andy Kelly, who represented Kelly's Package Store, located in Dalton. So far this year, Kelly's hosted a number of events, including a home brew contest.
While patrons enjoyed the food and drinks, three local bands took over the street stages. The Reformers, a monthly first-Friday regular at the Red Lion in Stockbridge, returned for their 11th Berkshire Food Festival while funk band Jungle Work made their festival debut.
What was your favorite fare at the festival? Tell us below.
What was your favorite fare at the festival? Tell us below.
Tags: beer, Berkshire Food Festival, food,
