Officials: A Celebration Grows, While A Taste Struggles

In June no one quite knew if there would be a Taste of Olde Towne at this year's Celebrate Gaithersburg street festival.

There was signed up to participate, and staff were hoping for at least 15.

But on Sept. 18, the 30th anniversary of went off without a hitch—and 12 vendors had signed up for the Taste of Olde Towne.

"I think it's worth continuing in the future," Mayor Sidney Katz said.

In recent years, restaurants have been reluctant to sign up for the event because some were seeing little or no return on their investment.

Last year, because of this and other reasons, there was no Taste portion of the festival.

"It's difficult for restaurants to do that," Katz added. "They have to take extra staff away from their restaurants. And unless they have a truck or do catering already, it's not really what they're set up to do."

"Of the people who were here, most did very well," Katz said. "Hopefully it will cause more people in restaurant industry to want to come out next year."

Overall, crowds were up at Celebrate Gaithersburg compared to last year, when staff estimated a crowd of about 20,000.

Michele Potter, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, said officials are still calculating the final estimate, which is based on several variables.

"Was attendance as good as you’d like? No," Katz said. "But it was well attended. We had good competition because the Redskins were playing at home."

One new feature of the festival, which was introduced as a way to bring down the cost of the event, was a beer garden.

Growlers sponsored the adult-beverage-spot and brewed a special ale specifically for Celebrate Gaithersburg.

"I think that will, over time, attract people who enjoy that setting and Growlers," Katz said.

"The quality of vendors was very good, and the revival of the Taste of Gaithersburg was welcomed," said Councilwoman Cathy Drzyzgula. "I did receive feedback that the 'beer garden' was more a beer tent, and I’m not sure many people were aware of that offering."

City Councilman Mike Sesma also saw the beer garden as having a good start, but room to grow. "I was glad to have the beer garden but it would have been better with food available and have the site better promoted."

Other changes made since last year include a slightly contracted festival footprint, which officials hoped would make the area feel busier and more crowded.

The festival also featured the first Gaithersburg's Got Talent competition, and a Green Zone area to help raise awareness of environmental issues.

"There’s great room for growth," Katz said. "Not to say we didn’t have a wonderful day, we did. But there’s always room for growth."