Pires Farmers' Market at the 3rd annual Taste of Chenango Music and Food Festival. The event featured more than 50 vendors, live music, lawn games, kids' activities, and more. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — The 3rd annual Taste of Chenango Music and Food Festival was held on Saturday, July 26 and drew thousands of community members.

The free event featured more than 50 food, agricultural, and craft vendors who all have a connection to Chenango County.

"It’s really a celebration of everything made in Chenango, so art, music, food is our main focus," said Commerce Chenango Communications and Marketing Coordinator and Tourism Director Sophia Root.

Visitors enjoyed $1 samples from various food and drink vendors, lawn games like cornhole and tennis golf, goat yoga, caricature drawings, and live music by Nate Gross, Not Robots, Denny McCormick, and Khalil Jade.

There was also a Kids' Section with an obstacle course, a bounce house provided by Live Event NY, a petting zoo, Norwich Family YMCA youth activities, face painting, and a large Touch-a-Truck lineup.

Taste of Chenango also collected donations of nonperishable food items to benefit the Edmeston Community Cupboard.

Commerce Chenango President and CEO Sal Testani said this was their biggest year yet, with thousands stopping by the fairgrounds to check out all things made in Chenango County.

"It’s been a tremendous turnout for us," he said. "There were literally thousands of people here today. I mean, it was by far the busiest we’ve been, from the beginning to the end."

"[BID Board Member] Mindy Chawgo did a tremendous job of getting people here, and Sophia [Root] did a wonderful job of promoting the event," he added. "But most importantly, the community loved to come and just brag about who we are. They love to come and celebrate. And there were people here of every walk of our community, every type of demographic."

Taste of Chenango was presented by Chenango County Tourism and sponsored by SFCU and Kerry Bio.

For more information on Commerce Chenango, visit CommerceChenango.com or the Commerce Chenango Facebook page.