Festival back, after six-years, open for vendors

After a six-year absence, organizers are bringing back the annual Taste of Ironton to downtown.

Organized by Ironton aLive, the event will take place from 11 a.m.-2p.m. on Saturday, June 28 at the Ironton Farmers Market.

Dozens of food vendors will set up for the event, offering samples of their wares.

Marye Long, co-chair of the group, said those taking part will be from Ironton, Coal Grove and Hanging Rock.

“We wanted for anyone with a 45638 ZIP code to be able to join,” she said.

Long said attendees can purchase a ticket book for $10, which will include 10 tickets to get a sample from vendors.

Taste of Ironton took place for several years, but was called off in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down public events.

Long said, in bringing the festival back, she wanted to “bring the community together.”

“For everyone to be able to enjoy food, downtown and your people,” she said.

Long said this year’s festival will have a new addition: A People’s Choice Award, voted on by attendees.

The winner of that will receive a trophy, donated by Drew Artis of Awards Plus.

In addition to the festival, Long notes that the farmers market and adjacent splash park also both be open for the season that day.

Long said vendor spots are open to restaurants, caterers and mobile food vendors. Vendors keep 80 percent of ticket sales from the event, while the other 20 percent goes to Ironton aLive.

She said anyone wanting to set up can contact her at m.lo.sales22@gmail.com or 740-442-9871, or Ironton aLive chair Sam Heighton at 740-533-7951.