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Photos by Lauren Thomas
A crowd of more than 7,000 attended the 23rd annual Taste of New Paltz at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz last Sunday. The event, hosted by the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce, offered samples of some of the area’s finest flavors to locals and tourists alike. Festival goers followed a meandering path of enticing aromas, tasting here and tasting there. Many flocked to the beer garden, a new addition to this year’s event, and enjoyed craft beer from the Craft Beer Guild and local brews from the Gilded Otter. Many vendors suggested what beers would go well with the food they served.
Not a beer-fancier? Wines were also available from two Shawangunk Wine Trail wineries: Robibero Vineyard and Whitecliff Vineyard.
A big emphasis this year was on shrinking the Taste’s carbon footprint. Volunteer Wendy Toman arranged to have recycling bins in place throughout the fairgrounds to help the public sort their waste into three categories — organics, recyclables and landfill. Toman also provided the beer garden with recyclable clear plastic cups.
“We’re trying to build our levels of sustainability by providing renewable and compostable utensils, and Waste Management is providing recycling, trash and composting services,” Helen Gutfreund, director of marketing and communications at the Chamber explained.
Live music, a classic car and motorcycle show, craft, wellness and business vendors rounded out Sunday’s food fest.