Going Places on a Gallon
Sweet potato, pina colada, maple bacon, cannoli. These may sound like strange varieties of cupcakes, but they nothing short of delicious. Such treats and more could be found at the annual Cupcake Festival held May 18 in Gardiner.
It was the 11th year for the event and the eighth since it moved to the grounds of Wright’s Farm.
In 2009, some business owners decided to organize the festival to bring people into Gardiner, but by the third year it had grown too big for Main Street. The annual event was about to meet its demise, for a variety of reasons, but MacKenzie Dietz and her family, who were vendors at the festival, decided to open up their orchard and keep the tradition going.
“It is a really great community event,” Dietz said. “We try to get as many local vendors as possible so our local area business owners are benefiting from it.”
This year’s festival featured 11 cupcake vendors, as well as a variety of other businesses selling homemade jewelry, clothing, maple syrup, and craft beverages.
Among the cupcake vendors were two businesses which have become staples at the event. Deisings in Kingston is a big fan favorite and is known for creating a variety of flavors for their cupcakes. Some are uniquely decorated to resemble a unicorn, frog, or other animal. Visitors were also drawn to Mid-Hudson Cakes because of their delicious offerings.
For those not interested in cupcakes in their traditional form, one vendor sold cupcake balls, and another had miniature versions of the dessert.
If cupcakes weren’t their thing, guests could snack on kettle corn, donuts, or ices, as well as an array of food vendors selling anything from hamburgers and hotdogs to pizza and pulled pork.
Live music filled the air all afternoon with two stages set up — the main stage by all the food vendors, and another set up in the wine and spirit tent.
The Cupcake Festival also features other activities. A 5K run kicks off the day. Participants have the luxury of running through the 500-acre orchard, passing the peach and apple trees, as well as the strawberry patch. There’s an amateur cupcake contest for those who don’t own their own business, as well as plenty of activities for kids. There were three bounce houses, a Tumble Bus, a portable jungle gym, face painting, and a cupcake decorating station.
Dietz said it’s important for the festival to support local businesses while offering a number of different options to satisfy any guest.
With bellies full, attendees begin to make their way back to their vehicles, many with containers full of cupcakes to enjoy for at least another week.