Recap of the Coffee & Tea Festival in Oaks, PA (November 2-3)

This past weekend in Oaks, PA  (November 2-3) at the Greater Philadelphia Convention Center, Starfish Junction productions presented the first ever in the Greater Philly area:
The Coffee & Tea Festival!  

Selected as one of the "10 Best New York Events" and featured on the Food Network’s “Unwrapped"The Philadelphia area welcomes the festival for the inaugural Coffee & Tea Festival. This long-running event originated in New York, and always draws huge crowds. As they say, their mission is to unite coffee and tea drinkers for a weekend of fun festivities!

It was a hit! Over 40 vendors and exhibitors, tastings, giveaways, seminars and workshops made for a wonderful event. Walking in the door each day, the first 1000 attendees received a goody bag with all kinds of tasty samples) Biscoff cookies, Eight O’Clock coffee!). Upon walking in the door, your senses are pleasantly bombarded with the satisfying scent of roasting coffee.

Kristyn Dolan, marketing manager for the show’s producer, Starfish Junction Productions, was very excited to bring this exhilarating event to the Philadelphia area. "The event surpassed our expectations for the first one in this particular area, and we look forward to future years of the show as we grow and improve," she said.

It was a real buzz... sampling all that delicious coffee and tea.  A good number of vendors offered Fair Trade and organic items, local merchants sold baked goods, and everything was available for purchase.

DONUTS for ALL!

40+Vendors such as Eight O'Clock Coffee, Wholesome Sweeteners, Adagio Teas, Celestial Seasonings, Choice Organic Teas, Organic India USA, Red Rose Tea, Salada Tea, Martinson Coffee, Honest Tea, Bare Tea, Coffee Ale House, Owl’s Brew, Tea Time, Maui Wowi Hawaiian, Ajiri Tea, Capital Teas, Chai Diaries, Waterfall Tea Company and more all had delicious samples to try.

Owl’s Brew was one of the more interesting items we sampled at the festival- ice cold blended tea, herbs, agave, then spiked (not sold that way) with either vodka or tequila. The result? A unique, lower-calorie (than most cocktails) refreshing tea beverage perfect for hot summer nights or a cool Fall afternoon.

Owl's Brew is delightful

Honest Tea was offering samples of all its fresh delicious tea. Honest Tea is my go-to at lunch when I don’t want to ingest a ton of sugar and carbs and drink actual tea. Sweetened naturally, it’s the right choice for me, and so yummy too! I love the peach white tea.

Yes to Honest Tea!

A few booths had local and flavored honey- lavender honey, rosemary fig honey, peach blossom, and blueberry honey were just a few of the delectable nectars we sampled.

Oh honey!

There were a few vendors advising on proper tea etiquette, how to set a proper tea table, tea parties, and coffee and tea- specific magazines and cookbooks.

Many local food craftspeople had booths as well, Goshen Donuts, Taste, Sweet Serenity Confections, along with similar vendors offering cheese, cookies, cake, dips, cupcakes, and caramel apples.

Eat up yummies!

Many vendors offered uniquely-crafted items, rare teapots, quirky mugs, coffee and tea brewing essentials, and fun kitchen items.

This event was very well received and everyone looked like they were having a great time!

Take me home!

Special thanks to Kristyn Dolan, of Starfish Junction Productions!