Annual Food-centric street festival returns Jan. 17 & 18
from Staff Reports
The annual Taste of Folly will showcase everything Folly with a special emphasis on our eclectic culinary scene. The weekend will begin with the Blue Chair Rum Cocktail Competition on Friday night, the 17th, featuring craft cocktails from Folly establishments. Following the competition, Center Street will be taken over by Folly restaurants on Saturday, the 18th, to serve up their best dishes and exhibit their skills through live demonstrations.
What’s a festival without some competition? Taste will feature a Chili Cook Off, Hot Dog Eating and Oyster Shucking Contests, and the Server Olympics. Complemented by five local bands, 40+ Folly art, craft, and fashion vendors, and a robust kids’ area, Taste of Folly will have something for everyone!
Blue Chair Rum Cocktail Competition
Friday, January 17, 7-10 p.m.
The Blue Chair Rum Cocktail Competition is from 7 pm to 10pm on Friday, Jan 17 at Tides. Taste craft cocktails made by the Folly restaurants and bars and vote for
your favorite. $20 admission in advance, $25 at the door, which includes a free sample of all cocktails. For ticket, please
go to www.visitfolly.com
The Street Festival
Saturday, January 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The festival will run from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, January 18th. The streets will close at 7am and reopen at 6:30pm. Admission is $5 (cash only at door) but is free for Folly residents (must show valid ID) and kids 12 and under are free. To buy tickets in advance, please visit: https://whollyticket.com/paymentpage/payment.php?event_id=45915
Cooking Demonstrations
Select restaurants will have live demonstrations at their booths throughout the day. More info on the demonstration and times coming soon!
Hot Dog Eating Contest
On the Ashley stage starting at 1pm, you will enjoy some great entertainment on a January afternoon. Free to enter, sign-up in advance online or at Bert’s Market or the day of the event. Prizes given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
Chili Cook Off
A Taste of Folly tradition, the Chili Cook Off will feature individuals from around the region. Running from 11am to 3 pm on Center Street while supplies last. $5 per person to taste and vote. $20 to enter the Open Division. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
Oyster Shucking Contest
Back for it’s second year, come show off your shucking skills during prime oyster season, starting at 2:30pm on the Ashley Stage.
Server Olympics
Ever run through tires with a tray of drinks? Nothing easy about it. Folly waiters will perform their customary duties while going through obstacle courses. Several heats will be scheduled throughout the day. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
Live Music
Spazmatics will take us back to the 80s, while Well Charged will be throwing some vibes with some R&B and funk. And that’s just the beginning! Taste will have three (3) stages showcasing local musicians at Ashley, East Erie & Huron. Additional details regarding the lineup coming soon!
Kids Area
Check out the Kids Kitchen by Good Clean Fun with Pots & Pans Percussion, Soapy Sudsy Kitchen, and pasta making. There will also be free inflatables for jumping fun and culinary-inspired crafts.
Times and activities are subject to change, please visit www.VisitFolly.com for the most up-to-date information. In the event of bad weather, the rain date will be the following Saturday, Jan. 25.
