The challenges of the past are no more thanks to a change of venue for this weekend’s “Groovin’ in the Grove” food and vendor festival.
The event, coordinated by the Elm Grove Business Association and presented by The Glessner Group, will take place between 3-9 p.m. this Saturday at Bridge Street Middle School in the field along Junior Avenue. Along with a number of food trucks, several vendors will set up and there will be bounce houses and a dunk tank.
Local bands 10 Penny and Bucket of Puppies will perform, and there is plenty of parking in the school’s lot along East Bethlehem Blvd.
“Moving to the property behind Bridge Street Middle will give us so much more space, and more parking in the school’s front lot and in the back along (Junior Avenue), too,” explained Kristy Ferguson, president of the EGBA. “We’ll have use of the covered pavilion, so that will be nice for the people in attendance, and I think the space will allow people to see even more possibilities for growth in the future.
“I’m hoping this new location allows other businesses and organizations to think what they could do next year because we would love to have even more,” she said. “I know the new area has us thinking about a lot of different ideas for local charities.”
Several food trucks, including Izzy’s, Southpaw Eatz, Gringo’s Taco, Kirks Ice Cream, So Nutz 4 Donuts, Mad Batter, and Runway Farms.
“We’ll have some of the same food trucks that we’ve had at the event before because people really, really enjoyed them, and there will be a few new ones, too. The goal is to have something for everyone who comes to the event,” Ferguson explained. “And there will be a lot of vendors, too, with crafts and other things for sale because several of our businesses in Elm Grove will have folks there.
“We’re planning to have some other features and games, and there will be a dunk tank with some pretty prominent people that you can send into the water,” she said with a giggle. “The day is just about having a good time with other folks in the community. Of course, our businesses want to promote themselves, and we’re also hopeful the Elm Grove area will continue to grow.”
Growth is the Goal
Soon after the Elm Grove Business Association was formed more than a decade ago, the leaders created the “Taste of Elm Grove” event and held it as the Civics Hall on Sycamore Avenue.
When Ferguson joined the organization a few years ago and then was chosen to be the new president, the businesswoman decided to transform the “Taste” event into something much larger.
“I’m pretty sure after I proposed the idea, everyone looked at me like I was crazy, but all I wanted was for the community to have something they could enjoy that was free to attend,” Ferguson said. “Everything costs so much anymore, but people say all of the time there’s nothing to do, so ‘Groovin’ in the Grove’ is something people can do and not spend any money unless they are getting something to eat or buying something from a vendor.
“And this is all about the Elm Grove Business Association because we have so many terrific folks who own and operate their businesses in this area,” she said. “And since Groovin’ began, we’ve grown a bunch and now we’re moving the event to a new location.”
Ferguson’s business, Elite Massage, has grown, as well, and her spa made the move from the Elm Grove strip to Lumber Avenue.
“I started in the small location because I was new, but then parking became an issue and it was a good problem to have a for a little while. But then I had to make a decision about a new location,” Ferguson said. “The new spot for Elite Massage is along Lumber Avenue where Adecco was for many years, and it’s been a terrific experience.
“We’ve been able to add staff and services, and any business owner would be happy with that kind of growth,” she said. “And now, our clients don’t have any issues at all with parking, and that’s a relief. The other location was nice and it served its purpose for a while, but the Lumber Avenue location has opened up a lot of potential.”
