Terry McNamee
For the Beaver
Beginning at noon, there was seven hours of locally made food, beer, wine, cider, artisanal soda, specialty coffee and entertainment on Saturday when The Take Over literally took over the Palace at the Napanee Fairgrounds.
It was the second year for the local food and beverage event, which was organized and hosted by the Napanee and District Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber business manager Megan Sands said the festival covered many different aspects of the food and beverage industry in the Napanee area.
“We have farmers’ market vendors, people who own their own stores, and food trucks,” Sands explained. She said that, as a family-friendly event, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were available to taste or purchase.
Sands said The Take Over had an increase in attendance over last year, with more than 100 tickets sold in advance and many other people paying at the gate. And, she promised, the event will be back again next year.
The event covers an area that includes not just Greater Napanee, but also surrounding areas Quinte West, Belleville, Prince Edward County and even as far as Kingston.
Entertainment included Instant Rivalry (a brother/sister duo of Megan and Caleb Hutton), Solomon Woodland, Erick Turnbull, Scott Owen, Duane Robar and Kevin and the Kitchen Sink.
More than 25 vendors took part this year, offering a wide variety of culinary delights and fun things to do. Barb McLaren of Barb’s Homemade Pierogi from Sydenham said she sold three dozen packages of pierogi just in the first hour, which was a good indication of how the day went. There were lineups at most of the booths as people scrambled to taste the beverages and food on offer.