StroudFest is back with a 'Party Patch', 'Witchkraft' and pedestrian safety changes
Townies rejoice, Stroudsburg's favorite summer festival returns on Saturday.
Presented by the Sherman Theater, the annual StroudFest is back for its 16th year, albeit with a few changes with pedestrian safety in mind.
"Since 1890, Monroe County community members have gathered on 7th Street and Courthouse Square for festivals, parades and other special events," Sherman Theater Marketing Manager Brenda Block said in an August statement. "At the Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting on July 19, there was a discussion regarding the closure of North 7th Street during events in Courthouse Square."
North 7th Street has long served as the entrance to most Stroudsburg events held in Courthouse Square, including Pocono Pride Fest, Arts Fest, the Monroe Farmers Market and many others.
According to the statement, Penn Stroud Hotel owner Keyur Patel and his attorney Geoffrey Worthington were present at the council meeting. Worthington advised council that Stroudsburg Borough needed to leave North 7th Street open for hotel customers to access the hotel's parking lot from both 7th and Monroe Street entrances during festivals and events.
Various solutions were suggested at the council meeting, including paying a borough employee overtime at the expense of the event organizers to guide cars through crowds to the hotel's parking lot entrance.
”In this day and age, it would be irresponsible for event organizers to have vehicles driving in streets where pedestrians are mingling, especially with the number of people who come out to StroudFest each year,” said Rich Berkowitz, president and CEO of the Sherman Theater. The Sherman is the driving force behind StroudFest, as well as the Juneteenth Freedom Festival and Latin Fusion Fest, all held in Stroudsburg Borough.
Berkowitz then announced that the 16th StroudFest would relocate most activity to the corner of 8th and Main streets. Dein Properties will donate space needed for the Main Stage and Food Court for the festival.
According to the press statement, Berkowitz plans to evaluate other locations for future events considering "traffic being permitted on 7th Street where people are gathering will continue to be a safety concern for events in Courthouse Square."
StroudFest starts at 11 a.m. in the Burg, and the party goes until 6 p.m. For a full list of vendors, food purveyors and more, head to shermantheater.com/event/stroudfest-2022/.
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Hit the streets of Stroudsburg
Numerous vendors, from wineries to artisanal hot sauce to jewelry, will line the sidewalk along Main from 5th to 9th streets on Saturday.
Representatives from Monroe County Republicans and Democrats, as well as candidates currently running for office, will also be on hand to answer questions about this year's election at various booth locations.
Local organizations worth your time will also be present. Don't miss a chance to learn more about how groups like Monroe County Habitat for Humanity, AWSOM Animal Shelter and more serve the Poconos community.
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Live music at StroudFest
Leave it to StroudFest to deliver the best in local talent. Read on for a list of local shows at various stages throughout Downtown Stroudsburg.
Live from the Main Stage at the 'Party Patch' at 8th and Main
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Contact Collective
1 – 2 p.m.: Chris Raabe
2:30 – 4 p.m.: Bobby Syvarth
4:30 – 6 p.m.: Walter Lee
Playing the Showcase Stage
11:30 a.m. to noon: Stereo Jo
12:15 – 12:45 p.m.: HAMO
1 – 1:30 p.m.: PowWow
1:45 – 2:15 p.m.: Gypsie Junkies
2:30 – 3 p.m.: Lenny Kaye
3:15 – 3:45 p.m.: Dirty Blond
4 – 4:30 p.m.: Rubix Pube
On the Acoustic Stage
For those in search of chill vibes, these artists will play the Acoustic Stage: Chris Zelenka, Hannah Noel, Walt Kosar, Christian Porter and Roy Ramos.
The most metal sandwich you'll ever eat
Returning for 2022 are Monroe County favorites like Atomic Hogs BBQ, Rogue Tacos and Warriors Pizza, but festgoers are in for a new, bewitching treat.
Joining the round up for this year's culinary offerings at StroudFest is Witchkraft Sandwich Co., an artisanal sandwich and pickle stand from Pocono Summit. According to chef Torre Iby, the name is a play on the words "craft sandwich".
Originally from northeast Philadelphia, Torre Iby has been a professional chef for over 15 years, having worked in fine dining and farm-to-table restaurants, and is finally chasing the dream he's been putting off for 10 years. Iby decided to "go for it" when he started up Witchkraft after moving to Pocono Summit.
"If I’m gonna do this, I might as well do it in a small town and make a name for myself up here," Iby said in an interview.
Music plays a big part in Iby's vision: From a heavy metal-style logo design by Pennsylvania-based graphic designer Geoff Harkins, to his own musical prowess.
"I play all instruments... drums, guitar and bass. I record my own music and all," Iby said, noting that he plays with a band called Triple Grande.
Iby's dreams involve a brick and mortar location with live music every night, but until then Iby is working hard prepping food ahead of time in a restaurant kitchen in Philly.
"It’s strenuous because I have to make sure I’m clear of the other restaurant during their operating hours, and make sure I don’t get in the way when I make pickles which are all hand cut and hand jarred,” Iby then makes the trip back to Monroe County, and goes on to either ship orders out (he's shipped across the country to Utah) or trek to a festival.
Iby's girlfriend Gabrielle Sidorski operates sales and event coordination, making the endeavor a true team effort.
"She’s a huge part of it... She helps me with everything. The making of the pickles to putting the festivals together. As I’m cutting pickles she’s weighing and filling the jars. And she caps every jar with me and we put on all the labels," Iby said.
His menu consists of handcrafted pickle jars such as "The Trinity" (his favorite — pickled cucumber, onion and jalapeno), spicy chili garlic (the crowd favorite) and classic dill — and of course, sandwiches.
"What goes better with a sandwich than a pickle," Iby said. "I always loved sandwiches, you can put a whole meal between two pieces of bread, you can enjoy it right on the spot."
So far, Iby's Beer-B-Q Pork Sandwich has been a hit. Braised pork in Yuengling Lager, with his own BBQ sauce and apple cabbage slaw, hungry fest goers can't go wrong at $14.
"Every time I feature it on a fest menu, it’s been the hit— everyone says it's the best pork they’ve ever had," Iby said. "I think it’s the beer."
Veggie lovers, don't fret, Iby's got an option for you on the menu: A "caprese" with local heirloom tomatoes, homemade pesto, mozzarella and arugula.
Iby made his local debut at the Pickle Me Poconos Festival last year, where he quickly sold out of 400 jars of his handcrafted pickles. After StroudFest, he'll return to East Stroudsburg for Pickle Me Poconos 2022 on Oct. 1, where he'll feature a brand new pickle flavor. You can also catch him at the Pine Ridge Music Festival Oct. 7 - 9, and Open Air Open Mic on Oct. 19.
Find Witchkraft, and other eats, at the "Party Patch" food court.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Poconos gears up to bid farewell to summer at StroudFest 2022
