POTTSTOWN >> Pottstown’s Carousel of Flavor will be celebrating its 14th year and mouths are already watering in anticipation.
The annual event, which will take place this year on Sunday, draws crowds from all over who line up on the 100 block of High Street to experience a variety of dishes from local restaurants. Last year, the Carousel of Flavor brought in an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 guests. This year, the organizers say they are excited to have about 20 food vendors, many of which are new to the festival.
“What’s really nice is we have a couple new restaurants that are opening that will be at the Flavor. The menus are also a little more upscale. I think people will be pleased by that,” said Bev Reber, one of the directors for the event. “We have an extended beverage tent too. Sly Fox will be there and Manatawny Still works. This will be Manatawny’s first year.”
As part of the event’s beer garden and expanded beverage tent, A Dello Winery will be returning to provide wine and the Stonekeep Meadery will also be present.
In between tastings of local food and beverages, guests will also be able to enjoy live entertainment. Music, crafters row, balloon animals for the kids by Rainbow the Clown and face painting by Dana Barnes will be available to patrons on Sunday.
As restaurants prepare a palet of culinary samplings, eateries will compete with each other for prizes including the best appetizer, best dessert, best main dish and several others. The Montgomery County Community College Culinary Arts program officiates judging. Members of the Pottstown Roller Derby team and Pottstown’s ROTC assist throughout the day.
The annual festivities began as one of the biggest fund-raisers for the Pottstown Carousel, which is exactly why this year should be its most exciting yet.
“This is also our first year that the carousel is actually giving rides,” said Reber. “Plus the weather should be nice this year.”
A trolley will be running from borough hall to the carousel and Colebrookdale Railroad will also deliver patrons for the festival.
Tickets purchased by guests from the Carousel are used to buy food and drinks from the restaurant booths and the proceeds are split between the participating restaurants and the Carousel at Pottstown.
The festival will begin at noon and last until 4 p.m. on the 100 block of High Street.
“I think the expansion with the new restaurants is really exciting. We’re looking forward to a new year,” said Reber.
For more information on the Pottstown Carousel of Flavor, visit www.carouselatpottstown.org.
