Kutztown Community Park will play host to the Taste of Kutztown Festival, presented by The Kutztown Rotary Club, on June 6 from Noon to 5pm. Visitors to the event can wine, dine and expect to enjoy an all-around good time.
The festival is the Kutztown Rotary Club’s primary fundraiser. In 2014, proceeds were donated to iharvest.org, providing more than 200,000 pounds of potatoes to 8,000-plus local households through the Greater Berks Food Bank. Kutztown Rotary was also recognized as the largest donor to the international “Dream Team” dam building project in India.
This year at the park, attendees can stroll through grass pathways and enjoy the shade while sampling and purchasing tasty foods. They can also shop for products from vineyards and artisans, sipping on wine, beer, mead and cider. “I hope everyone enjoys our location in the shade this year,” says Pam Kelchner, event chair.
You heard right. For the first time, beer will be on the sampling menu. Enthusiasts will be able to enjoy tastings from brewers originating from the Berks, Lancaster and Philadelphia areas.
And as in past years, wine tastings will play a major part in the event, featuring 13 wineries – all from good ol’ PA. “Its only been in the past 10 years that people within the state have become aware of the high quality dry wines being produced by local wineries,” says Steven Giles, wine consultant for the event. Each vineyard and winery at the festival will offer its own unique taste, style and presentation of the dry wines from its region.
Keith Smoker, music promoter, has brought on four original Reading-based bands that will rock out in the amphitheater throughout the day. The Brian Betts Group, jazz guitar; Jonathan Movement, alternative rock; Caroline Reese & the Drifting Fifth, an American band with strong songwriting; and Lazy Afternoon, a jazzy funk band, will all take the stage. The Wandering Troubadours will also be playing in the park throughout the day.
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required for the wine and beer tasting and are available for $25 in advance online or $35 the day of the event. Limited VIP tickets are available for $30 in advance and feature a pairing of wine and cheese from two of the newest providers in the local region: Weathered Vineyards and the cheesemaker Valley Milkhouse.
For more info and to buy tickets visit tasteofkutztown.org or contact Pam Kelchner at 610.944.5992.
