It did not lengthy for crowds to develop after the Georgia Foodees Meals And Tradition Pageant opened at 1 p.m. Friday in downtown Augusta. By 2 p.m. traces had been forming at lots of the dozens of meals and beverage distributors lining the walkways between the levee and Reynolds Road.
Brian Israel, of Smoker’s Delight BBQ from Southern Maryland, made quick work of a giant brisket that had been in a smoker for 16 hours. He gave a brief demonstration of his slicing approach earlier than sending the meat to be offered to the purchasers ready in line by the meals truck.
Israel mentioned he is been cooking briskets for greater than 20 years, first in eating places and now along with his cell unit with Foodees.
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“It is enjoyable. You are in a unique metropolis each weekend,” he mentioned whereas rewrapping the brisket in foil to maintain it heat.
Together with dozens of meals vans, 19 dessert vans, and 9 beverage vans, there are greater than 60 artists and crafters who arrange store for the Artisan Market that is a part of the pageant.
Savannah Osborn, the social media coordinator for Foodees, travels with the occasion year-round. She mentioned she’s hoping to exceed the 100,000 attendees who had been estimated to have attended final yr.
On the Home of Quarshie African Delicacies truck, Ezzat Youssef sliced the powerful pores and skin off inexperienced coconuts and plunged them in an ice bathtub. Clients purchase a coconut, he drills a gap within the high and inserts a straw to allow them to drink the juice inside.
Across the nook, Max Navarro and Robert Wilson from Seville, Tenn., had been displaying off their Capuchin monkeys who pose for photographs with patrons. One significantly pleasant woman, Sasha, was very fascinated with a customer’s earrings and located a technique to slip it off her ear. Navarro mentioned that when Three Monkeys Picture Circus is not touring with Foodees, they typically take them to camps for kids with most cancers and their households.
There was even a truck promoting massive child bottle-like containers stuffed with lemonade.
The pageant continues Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.
When planning a go to, do not forget that the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 2 p.m. Sunday on Broad Road.
This text initially appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Foodees Festival opens with big crowds and plenty of good food
