Heart of Ellsworth events help build downtown cachet
Courtesy / Corey Chandler
Heart of Ellsworth, founded in 2015, seeks to create a happening vibe through events like Taste of Ellsworth, seen here last year.
Heart of Ellsworth, the nonprofit that represents downtown merchants, will host its third annual Taste of Ellsworth, a local restaurant festival that doubled attendance and participation in its second year and is expected to grow again this summer.
"The mission of Heart of Ellsworth it to promote economic, artistic, cultural, educational, historical and environmental activities in the downtown area to provide a vibrant community for all residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and local government," Creative Director and Heart of Ellsworth Board Member Peter Lions said in a news release.
The establishment of festivals like Taste of Ellsworth over the past three years goes beyond the economic impact of the individual event. They’ve helped to raise awareness of the city, Cara Romano, executive director of Heart of Ellsworth, told Mainebiz.
“The economic impact is not just about that one evening,” Romano said. “Things are happening downtown. People think of coming downtown. The events are like an advertisement for the city.”
The festival is scheduled for June 29, from 5-10 p.m., and will feature 20 local dining spots serving up appetizer-size tastes of their signature menu items. Staff from each eatery will be on site ready to talk about their business. This year's culinary line-up includes Acadia Bar & Grill, Manny’s Greek Grill, Ria’s German Treats, Serendib, Morton’s Moo, Finns Irish Pub, 86This!, Sylvia’s Cafe and Mike’s Country Store. The festival is supported by Machias Savings Bank.
Community volunteers and Wallace Events will transform Franklin Street extension into an open-air dining experience.
Building the program
Attendance doubled from 200 the first year to 400 in 2018. In 2018, the event sold out before it opened. This year, there are 450 tickets available.
The first year drew eight restaurants.
“We were building the program and we were new and people didn’t know if they should take us seriously,” Romano said. “People were still testing us out.”
The festival passed the test. In 2018, 14 dining establishments participated. For 2019, the number is up to 20.
“We want to focus on the small 'mom-and-pops,'” she said. “There are no chains or big-box stores.”
The festival’s cachet has spread. This year, eateries from outside Ellsworth include Bar Harbor Catering Co. and an oyster company in Sullivan.
“The purpose of Taste of Ellsworth is to be a local event,” she said. “Many of us are so busy during the summer months. This is a chance for locals to enjoy our city and to bathe in community here in Ellsworth.”
Creative economy
Founded in 2015, Heart of Ellsworth was formerly the Downtown Ellsworth Association. Romano was hired as executive director and oversaw the organization’s transition from a 501(c)(6) business association dependent on member revenue to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit able to accept contributions and grants. The goal, Romano told Mainebiz last August, is to lead “with the creative economy.”
Other initiatives include Art of Ellsworth and “community conversations,” designed to involve community members and engage municipalities.
According to its website, Heart of Ellsworth has reached 7,151 event attendees, and 419 volunteers have put in 4,602 hours on 15 events and four programs.
In 2018, Heart of Ellsworth held its first Downeast Cider & Cheese Festival, to celebrate Ellsworth's status as a major source of apples in the late 1800s, said Romano. With 125 tickets, the festival sold out in five days.
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