By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
More than a dozen Baldwinsville-area eateries and breweries are coming together next Saturday on Paper Mill Island in the revived Taste of B’ville.
“It’s modeled after ‘Taste of’ events in other cities,” said MaryAnne Williams, executive director of the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce.
Williams said Jeff Rogers, co-owner of Angry Garlic, and Luke and Jimmy Delia, owners of Pizza Man Pub, approached the chamber about bringing back Taste of B’ville.
“We thought it was a worthwhile event for the chamber to support. The more ways to support places in B’ville, the better,” Williams said.
While many other local festivals include shops of all kinds, Taste of B’ville’s focus is on food and beverage.
“Paper Mill Island is only so big. We wanted to turn the attention onto food and beverage,” Williams said.
In addition to enjoying the best of Baldwinsville’s food and drink, the event offers entertainment for the whole family, including face painting, a caricature artist, balloon twisting, a dance showcase from Gotta Dance Performing Arts Studio, and musical guests such as the Baldwinsville “Plan Bee” Pep Band and Dirtroad Ruckus.
“It’s important for the community just to come out and have fun,” Williams said. “It’s good for people outside the community to see what we have to offer as well. When they go by, they’ll see all the other shops we have. People are surprised by how much we have in an easy walking distance.”
Williams emphasized that an event like Taste of B’ville does not come together overnight.
“It takes a lot of organization and management and volunteers, and any group will tell you finding volunteers is never an easy task,” she said.
Many residents of Baldwinsville are involved in multiple local organizations such as the chamber, Rotary and the Female Charitable Society, but Williams said community causes always need more helping hands.
“I know would love to see some new faces volunteering,” she said.
If you go
WHAT: Taste of B’ville
WHEN: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
WHERE: Paper Mill Island
INFO: More than a dozen Baldwinsville-area eateries and breweries will offer $1 samples and full meals. Entertainment includes the Baldwinsville “Plan Bee” Pep Band, face painting, caricature artist and live music and dance. For more information, visit baldwinsvillechamber.com/taste. Visit facebook.com/tastebville for a chance to win free food.
