The ERC5-East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce would like to take a moment and thank our committee, sponsors, guests and vendors for supporting the 2018 Feast in the East. Our Chamber proudly represents the business communities of East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow and Wilbraham and we always welcome new members.
The 2018 Feast in the East was one for the record books in Western Mass. This signature event was coordinated by an enthusiastic ERC5 Volunteer Feast Committee and generously hosted by ERC5 member The Starting Gate at GreatHorse in Hampden. Many question how this event launched to such success. Event Chair and General Manager of GreatHorse, Bryan Smithwick, shares “it’s simple, we are a group of like-minded business folks, working together for common goals and supporting our business community.”
The event’s momentum began in a conference room at the GreatHorse Club House. Motivated by 2017’s eminence, the Feast in the East Committee collaborated seamlessly, sharing their vast knowledge and gathering resources from their varying communities. Each meeting was more energizing than the last, enhancing the committee’s collective work ethic as we prepared for the region’s premier food tasting extravaganza.
We were proud to celebrate with 21 restaurants and 11 confectioners competing for the coveted Best Eats (Center Square Grill, East Longmeadow) and Best Sweets (Pops Biscotti & Chocolates, Wilbraham) trophy. In addition, guests were treated to tastings from our areas finest beverage crafters and distillers.
Many guests took their chances on 25 donated Gift Basket Raffles and a Bottle Raffle featuring 85 donated bottles of alcohol. With 44 generous sponsors, we were able to benefit the ERC5 Scholarship Fund, ensuring our local schools with scholarship dollars for graduating high school students and guiding recipients towards success as they begin building their careers. A giant thank you to our Presenting Sponsor Green Earth Energy and all of the sponsors who made the night such a success.
The stars of the event were our 32 restaurants and confectioners. Each Chef and Confectioner amazed Feast Attendees with their mouthwatering creations and devoted attention to delicious detail. Truly, without our generous food and dessert contributors who continue to impress the ERC5 with their skill and magnanimity, the Feast in the East once again had phenomenal prominence.
Please visit our website at www.erc5.com and learn how you can become a member of our organization strengthening the economic business footprint of East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow and Wilbraham.
Cheers of thanks to all who made the night such a success.
Nancy L. Connor
ERC5 Executive Director
