The Main Street CDC, in conjunction with downtown restaurants and stores, plan on staging the first Phoenixville Restaurant Festival on May 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Barry Cassidy is heading up the tasting event, which will take place on the 100 and 200 blocks of Bridge Street. Those blocks will be closed down for the event pending the approval of Phoenixville Borough.
Many of the restaurants will expand their service capabilities to the middle of the street as a vast array of specialty food is presented in festival fashion. Although there will be no formal stage, musical groups will be spread throughout the downtown similar to what has been done in the past for First Fridays. There will be an area for children with face painting and other amenities including a moon bounce.
The organizers hope to bring forth a new festival, which will be replicated throughout the years. The festival schedule is very crowed during May with the Celtic Festival being held on May 14th and the Dogwood Festival being held the May 16th through the 21st. The Phoenixville Restaurant Festival will be the day after the Dogwood Festival ends.
Event organizers stated that this would be one of the few times that outside food vendors would be allowed on Bridge Street to sell food. In addition, outside general merchandise and craft vendors selling there wares will be welcome on the street at a nominal cost. CDC events normally do not allow outside vendors but this festival will be an exception to the rule.
Vendors seeking to set up a stand for the event are urged to call 484 880 1530 for applications. Applications will also be available at Steel City Coffee House on Monday April 4, 2011. There is a $10 charge for general vendors and $100 charge for food vendors. There is no 220 electric available at the festival.
There will be no charge for the public to attend the restaurant festival. However, the event is pay-as-you-go per each restaurant vendor.
