(May 8, 2015) More than 250 artists and crafters and approximately 20 food merchants are on site at the inlet parking lot right now, where Ocean City’s 25th annual Springfest festival kicked off yesterday and continues until Sunday.
“Springfest is a special event for everyone, it is the opening of a new season of enjoying good food and entertainment,” said David Tibor of Laurel, Del., owner of Chimney Cake Express, who returned for his second year to sell his popular Chimney cakes, cinnamon buns and breakfast sandwiches. “Everybody should attend, there’s no admission fee, and it will allow families to have a good time together and also help businesses sell some of their products. I know we will have fun.”
Dot Robinson of Pittsville has showcased her ceramics at the festival since its inception.
“I have customers who come back and buy from me every year,” Robinson said. “It’s a local event and I do well at Springfest selling Ocean City, nautical and home items.”
Artisan vendors will be selling everything from photography to fine art, jewelry, decorative items and many more treasures.
“Springfest, just like Sunfest, pulls together arts and crafts vendors from all over the country including California, Florida, New Hampshire, Georgia, Michigan and Texas,” said Frank Miller, Special Events superintendent for the Town of Ocean City. “It is a terrific mix of talent, product offerings and just great people who want to share their creations with our attendees. Springfest, being the easier of the two shows to join, tends to be the first to add new products; so it is where you can see it first.”
Jessie and Dan Driscoll, from Woodstock, N.Y., will be introducing their unique Made From Coins jewelry at Springfest for the first time this weekend.
The jewelry is made from vintage American coins. They sand off one side of an old silver coin and transforming it into a design, which leaves the coin image intact on the reverse side. In addition, there will be a line of pieces that retain the coin image on both sides, Driscoll said.
“We like to do shows near water, for the atmosphere and also because we feature some beach-themed designs such as sand dollars, starfish, dolphins and seahorses,” she added.
Come to Springfest hungry because vendors will be inside the food tent dishing up a variety of tasty treats including pizza, pit beef, burgers, chicken, corn dogs, healthy wraps and sweets.
“While the arts and entertainment of Springfest are a main attraction, some of our visitors will argue that the food at Springfest is really the shining star of the event,” said Jessica Waters, communications manager for the Town of Ocean City. “If you like Eastern Shore classics or want a true taste of all that Delmarva has to offer, then the Springfest delicacies are definitely for you. With a wide variety of options, each Springfest food vendor offers a unique flare and authentic taste that every patron will love.”
Visitors will have a variety of choices at Springfest, including Cheryl Kitchen’s natural nut butters.
These all-natural nut butters have no additives or preservatives with plain and gourmet flavors including a spicy peanut butter, almond butter coconut chocolate, cashew butter and peanut butter chocolate, just to name a few.
She is bringing her spreads all the way from Minnesota to Springfest for the first time this year.
“Everyone loves Springfest and I was told if your product has mass appeal it should do well,” said Cheryl Gendler, owner of Cheryl’s Kitchen. “I found out Springfest was one of the top festivals in the United States and it sounded like a great event and my products would be a great fit.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to find their favorite flavors with free samples all weekend.
“We’re really excited, the weather is supposed to be great,” Gendler said. “Come down and sample whatever flavors you would like.”
Springfest runs today and tomorrow, May 8-9, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, May, 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, visit www.ococean.com/springfest or call 800-626-2326.
