Running for its second year, the Crave Lexington Food + Music Festival Presented by Windstream highlights local businesses across the commonwealth, featuring 45 food vendors and a music stage with several live bands lined up for the two-day event.
Vendors will set up in tents based upon the items on their menus, allowing festival-goers to “experience a new world with each tent,” according to festival coordinator Robbie Morgan, who serves as the director of events and sponsorships for Smiley Pete Publishing, the company producing Crave Lexington and the parent company of Business Lexington.
“I heard from a lot of the vendors that it’s hard work, but it’s a lot of fun,” Morgan said. “There are several different ways to get the message out about your business, but it’s rare that you get to be in front of 25,000 people and not only tell them who you are, but show them who you are.”
“You have 25,000 chances to make a first impression,” she added.
This year, the event will also feature the Wild Thyme Corner Market, an area operated by Crave staff that will allow businesses to sell their packaged products.
“It’ll look like a retail store, but they can put their product out there, and we can sell it for them and get them a second way to expose and build their business,” Morgan said.
Items such as jams, sauces, spices and other merchandise will be available at the market.
“A big part of Crave is about supporting the local food system, but it’s also about supporting small-business owners as well and providing another meaningful way to get the word out about their businesses so they stay open,” Morgan said.
When asked about his impression of Crave, Lesme Romero, co-owner of Lexington Pasta, said he enjoyed the chance to interact with the Lexington community.
“We went there to promote our business, but then we realized it was a better deal than we expected,” he said. “It gave us more of a presence in the community and we got to showcase our product as well.”
“There were a few people who did not know about Lexington Pasta; Then after Crave, over the next couple weeks, people were coming back to the shop, saying, ‘Hey, we found you guys at Crave,’” Romero said.
Vendors will also get a chance to compete, as festival-goers can weigh in on their dining experience.
“The other thing we learned last year is that people want to give their opinions, so this year ‘Beyond Grits,’ a local publication that is directed to tourists and locals exploring the local restaurant scene, is sponsoring the Best of Crave Awards,” Morgan said.
With five different categories from “sweets” to “best overall,” businesses get ample opportunity to win over visitors with their variety of cuisines.
Crave will be held on September 13 from noon to 11 p.m. and on September 14 from noon to 6 p.m. Entry is free and tickets can be purchased to get food from the various tents. More information and a full line-up of vendors can be found at cravelexington.com.