Corks and Kegs Festival celebrates a decade of food, drink and entertainment
The Corks and Kegs Festival has plenty of reasons to raise a toast to its seemingly undying success.
Now in its 10th year, the event has grown into a regional destination, attracting thousands of visitors to Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in North Strabane. This year’s festivities will kick off Friday and continue through Sunday.
“As we celebrate 10 years of Corks and Kegs, we are incredibly proud of what this event has become and especially grateful for our longstanding partnership with Hollywood Casino at The Meadows,” said Carole DeAngelo, director of multi-market advertising and events at the Observer-Reporter and 无毛视频-Standard. The festival is sponsored by the Observer-Reporter.
DeAngelo credits the Meadows with playing an instrumental role in bringing Corks and Kegs to life year after year, providing not only a home for the event, but also the collaboration and resources needed to help it grow.
“Together with the support of Visit Washington County, we have been able to expand our reach and welcome guests from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and New York, while continuing to showcase local wineries, craft breweries, distilleries, food trucks, vendors and artisans,” said DeAngelo.
Recognized as the largest beer and wine festival in the region, it’s expected to attract between 15,000 and 20,000 visitors from throughout the region.
Vendor offers a different kind of candle
For Jamie Nicholls, owner of Tidal Candle Co, participating in Corks and Kegs for the first time during its 10th anniversary is an opportunity to introduce her products to new customers while connecting with small-business owners.
The opportunity to network, meet other entrepreneurs, and connect with current customers inspired her to join more than three dozen artisans and specialty vendors participating in the festival.
Disappointed by the candles she purchased over the years, Nicholls decided in 2020 to create her own.
“I was on a quest to find a great-smelling, clean-burning candle with no waste and no harsh chemicals,” she said. When her search turned up short, she decided to make her own.
“I take pride in creating all of my home and body products using ‘clean,’ all-natural ingredients that my customers can enjoy knowing the products are mindfully crafted to be top-notch and health conscious,” she said.
Detroit-style pizza on wheels
When David Perri fell in love with Detroit-style pizza, he was inspired to bring it to the Buffalo, N.Y., food scene. That’s when he and his brother-in-law eventually launched Darkside of the Crust, which operates from a food truck.
Friends told him about the festival “and encouraged us to be a part of it,” Perri said, adding that they look forward to connecting with other food businesses and meeting new customers.
Perri’s participation is evidence of the reach Corks and Kegs has developed over the past decade, attracting food vendors and visitors from around the region.
The entertainment lineup
Musical entertainment is always a big part of the festival, and this year is no exception. The 10th anniversary lineup will appeal to a wide range of musical tastes from country, to pop-punk, classic rock, 1990s music and dance.
Classic car enthusiasts will also have something to look forward to with one of the area’s largest classic car shows taking place on Sunday before the festival wraps up.
For DeAngelo, this year’s event is an especially meaningful milestone as Corks and Kegs raises a glass to its 10th year.
“Corks and Kegs truly takes a village, and we are proud to celebrate a decade of partnership, community and local businesses at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows,” she said.
To learn more, visit corksandkegsfestival.com.