Six food festivals this spring, from cupcakes to chicken wings, plus big summer event
It's food festival season and things are heating up with events spanning the gamut from chicken wings to cupcakes. Plus look who's a cocktail judge again! (details below about Party on the Pier.)
For those who appreciate good food, craft beer and fine wine, mark the following on your Google cal.
April 22: Wing Walk, White Plains
The fourth annual White Plains Wing Walk features various wing flavors from 15 downtown restaurants. Participants include Alex Lounge Bar & Grill, Archie Grand, The Brazen Fox, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cantina Taco & Tequila Bar, Delicias del Jireh, Hudson Grille, Lazy Boy Saloon, Lilly’s, Mario’s Pizza, Ron Blacks Beer Hall, Sundance Kitchen & Cantina, Tepe’s Kitchen, TVB by Pax Romana and Wolf & Warrior Brewing Company.
To add some festive “feathers” to the event, the White Plains Business Improvement District will also host live outdoor music that day as well as a screening of "Chicken Run" April 25 at the City Center Showcase Cinema Theater (including photo ops which Chuck, the resident chicken). Also new this year: Ticket holders will get a voucher for six wings, redeemable between April 23 and April 28.
Tickets are $25 for general admission and $18 for children ages 5 to 10. Online ticket sales end April 21 at 11:59 pm. Details at wpbid.com/wingwalk
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May 7: Taste of Harrison, Harrison
Harrison is turning into quite the food destination and to prove it, this "Taste of Harrison" event, which benefits the Harrison Public Library, includes more than 25 eateries showcasing their wares. Among the participants: Laughing Horse Coffee & Tea, Café Deux, Latusion, Harrison Bake Shop, Tako Mexican, DeCicco's Events, Uncle Henry's and The Greek-ish. Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children and can be purchased at the Ticket Sales booth at Avalon Plaza, 338 Halstead Avenue. Buy tickets in advance online and save $5. Details at harrisonpl.org/taste-of-harrison
May 13: Suds on the Sound, Rye
More than 100 different craft beers from over 50 different brewers will be on hand for this outdoor festival at Rye Town Beach featuring live music, food trucks, carnival games and more than 50 vendors. Many will be local names you'll recognize such as Port Chester's Run And Hide, Pearl River's Gentle Giant Brewing, White Plains' Wolf and Warrior and Mamaroneck's Decadent Ales. Designated driver tickets are $25; general admission is $55. This is the second year for the event, which is sponsored by Barley Beach House. 95 Dearborn Ave.
May 14: Cupcake Festival, Wappingers Falls
Talk about sweet! This annual cupcake festival, with vendors from local bakeries and bakers, takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mother's Day, giving the fam a fun activity to enjoy. The free event, sponsored by radio station K104.7 with support of Pamal Broadcastings WHUD, WXPK, WBPM, takes place at Heritage Financial Park (formerly Dutchess Stadium). A portion of proceeds for the event goes to the American Cancer Society. There is $20 VIP parking and free offsite parking with a shuttle. There are also lots of non-cupcake vendors. Details at k104online.com/cupcake
May 20-21: Welcome Port Chester Extravaganza, Port Chester
Zachys Wine & Liquor moved to its new Port Chester location last March, but never did a formal grand opening — until now. Over two days and three tastings, 40 of the world’s greatest producers will pour more than 70 wines and spirits to attendees. That means vintage Champagne, cellared Bordeaux, West Coast icons, Italian stars, and South American gems. Those producers will also be onsite so you can chat with them about wine. People like Agustina Hobbs pouring her father’s legendary wines, Yannick Passemart from Veuve Clicquot and Chateau D’Esclans, as well as Ben Casteel proving that Oregon’s Bethel Heights deserves praise as one of the world’s great Pinot Noir productions. Each of the three tasting times feature the same producers and pours, so RSVP for what suits you best. A portion of the proceeds go to the Port Chester Food Bank Meals On Main Street. Tickets are $55.51 at eventbrite.com/e/zachys-hosts-2023s-biggest-wine-tasting-event-in-port-chester-tickets-616697878957
June 6-10: Westchester Magazine Wine & Food Festival
Tickets are now on sale for Westchester Magazine’s 12th Annual Wine & Food Festival. The weeklong extravaganza features a host of events starting June 6 with an evening of wine and food with John Crabtree, owner of Crabtree Kittle House in Chappaqua and wine expert Kevin Zraly (tickets are $150). On June 7, Lohud Food & Dining Reporter Jeanne Muchnick will once again be a cocktail judge for the festival's “Party on the Pier” at Rye Playland (tickets are $65). June 9 is the ever-popular “Burger & Beer Blast” at Kensico Dam with Stew Leonard’s Naked Beef as the official ground beef sponsor (tickets are $75). On June 9, it's the “Wine Collectors’ Dinner” at X2O Xaviars on the Hudson in Yonkers ($185). And on June 10, the event concludes with the “Grand Tasting Village” at Kensico Dam in Valhalla ($85). Details at westchestermagazine.com/winefood.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Food festivals 2023 White Plains, Port Chester, Harrison, Rye Valhalla
