St. Pete residents savor the flavor at Localicious.
Much like the “Keep Austin Weird” campaign, “Keep Saint Petersburg Local” is the self-proclaimed voice of the city’s locally-owned independent businesses.
Olga Bof, who founded the organization in 2012, said she is working to build a thriving local economy and unique community by nurturing business connections and raising awareness of the importance of buying local.
Local businesses “make the city a destination,” Bof said, and help the St. Petersburg economy. “Money stays here when you support those businesses.”
Localicious returned for its second annual celebration from Oct. 16-25. The festival, sponsored by Rollin’ Oats Market and Cafe, highlighted local restaurants, food trucks, breweries, distilleries and markets.
Green Bench Brewing Company’s Rooftop Cider, photographed right, is a new brew featured throughout the week of Localicious, it is brewed with a hint of orange blossom honey from the brewery’s rooftop beehive. The owners plan to have at least two ciders or meads on tap at all times, once production increases.
Local breweries offered special brews, such as Green Bench Brewing Company, which offered a preview of its new mead and cider line – Rooftop Cider. The cider is brewed with a hint of orange blossom honey, taken from the brewery’s rooftop beehive.
Speaking of bees, Localicious offered workshops for sustainable living such as beekeeping and raising backyard chickens as well as classes for home-canning and pickling, and home-brewing beer and kombucha.
The 3rd Friday Food Truck Rally kicked off the festival on Oct. 16. Presented by the Gulf to Bay Food Truck Association, the rally took place at the Port of St. Petersburg, next to Albert Whitted Airport. The Hideaway Cafe created a special menu to honor the weeklong festival, bringing together local food, drinks and music in celebration of everything St. Petersburg.
The food and drink festival, “In the Dip,” took place in the field across from the historic Manhattan Casino on 22nd Street S. The event featured live music and entertainment, artisanal food and drink vendors, and free educational workshops. Attendees could also tour the African-American Heritage Trail and visit the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum’s open house.
Compared to last year, the festival saw massive growth.
With the continued influx of artisanal markets, foods and breweries, Localicious organizers may have a hard time squeezing next year’s festivities into the standard weeklong event.
