Wildly and unpredictably popular last year, Cobleskill’s second Soup Stroll is set for March 8.
Hosted by the downtown improvement group Cobleskill Partnership Inc., the Soup Stroll offers soup samples to visitors.
Because last year was the first Soup Stroll, nobody knew what to expect. CPI and restaurants anticipated maybe up to 300, but more than 400 turned out.
“It was something new and different for residents of Cobleskill to enjoy,” said Bruce Tryon, CPI vice president and chair of the group’s Events Committee.
“We were pleasantly surprised even if we were a bit overwhelmed.”
Participating restaurants will be Chieftans, La Marketa, Locomotions, American Tavern, Bull’s Head Inn, Pizza Shack, Cowboy’s Taqueria and Brick House Bakery.
Diners can buy a $15 pre-sale ticket online at Cobleskill Partnership Inc.’s website. CPI will have a tent at the corner of Main and Division Streets, and diners can pick up a wristband there. Day-of-event tickets for $20 are also available at the tent.
The ticket price allows diners to get samples at all restaurants.
Mr. Tryon attributed last year’s success to several factors besides its novelty: March usually offers prime soup weather, and all the restaurants were in easy walking distance, as they are this year.
“We didn’t re-invent the wheel,” Mr. Tryon said, noting that CPI based its Soup Stroll on soup and chowder strolls in Saratoga and Schenectady.
Diners from those cities sampled Cobleskill’s Soup Stroll and enjoyed the small-town atmosphere––and flavors.
Last year’s unexpected success put several restaurants at a disadvantage. They didn’t anticipate the crush, and some ran out of soup.
To avoid issues, Mr. Tryon is keeping in touch with restaurateurs on how advance ticket sales are going. And in the last week before the Stroll, he’ll give them firmer numbers.
Restaurants benefit from the added exposure and also from diners who come for more than soup.
The Soup Stroll is a fundraiser for CPI’s projects; in addition, half the proceeds will go to Marathon for a Better Life.
Last year’s beneficiary was Cobleskill-Richmondville’s Backpack Program.