Dandelion May Festival is May 6-7
The annual Dandelion May Festival celebrates all things dandelion.
Spring brings blue skies, green grass and the sunny, yellow dandelion flower. Some see the dandelion as a pesky weed, but Breitenbach Wine Cellars wants you to help celebrate them. Those attending the Dandelion May Festival on May 6-7 will have a chance to see, taste and enjoy dandelions.
Relocated in 2012 to the Toolshed at Breitenbach Vineyards, located in Dover across Old Rt. 39 from the winery, the festival is renowned for its celebration of all things dandelion: dandelion cuisine from area chefs performing cooking demonstrations, held in the castle-like Toolshed; vendors offering breads, gravy, sausage, and even ice cream with dandelions as their secret ingredient; live entertainment; a children’s dandelion picking contest and jelly-making fun; along with dandelion wine and sangria.
This year, chefs Cameron Krahel from Dutch Creek Foods, Nate Kelly from Donnie’s Tavern and Matthew Ridgeway from Hennis Nursing Home will prepare dishes to sample.
Each of the food vendors will have a dandelion specialty offering. WJER general manager Amy Smith will judge the dishes and choose the “Best Dandelion Food” of the festival to be awarded at 4 p.m. on May 6.
The Dandelion 5k and 10k May Run/Walk will be held Saturday, May 7 at 9 a.m. Registration begins at 7 a.m. in the purple barn beside the winery. Many sponsors and volunteers are helping to make this run successful.
The proceeds from the run will go to Zachary Davis Memorial Fund. Anita Davis, event organizer, set up the fund in her son’s name. She goes to schools and organizations and talks about drug abuse awareness. Food and drinks have all been donated. Massages will be available and SpringVale Health Centers will do wellness checks.
This year, rather than killing your dandelions, Davis offers a different approach, “Don’t forget, our motto is: The best way to control dandelions is to eat them.”