Guests turned out to taste what Medford restaurants and businesses had to offer at the Annual Taste of Medford at Kirby’s Mill.
This is the second year the event was held at the historic location, moving from Freedom Park.
Restaurants offered food off their menus to guests. Additionally, people were able to peruse local businesses and receive coupons and deals.
This year, the event was held at the end of September, rather than the first weekend of the month.
“We moved the festival back a few weeks. We took the opportunity with not having Oktoberfest this year to push the festival back a little,” said Dave Vaughn, executive director of the Medford Business Association. “We opened it in the prime of festival season.”
The date change wasn’t the only difference this year. The set up of the event commingled restaurants and vendors, instead of having a “business only” section, like last year. Additionally, Woodford Cedar Wildlife Center showed off animals and answered questions.
“We decided to do a much more blended event,” said Theresa Freedman, president of the business association. “It’s always a positive event here. I think people enjoy the blending of the food, getting stuff from the businesses and still having stuff for the kids to do.”
The festival is a cooperation of businesses, Freedman said.
In past years, organizations have been “cross-supporting” one another.
The historic society offered Kirby’s Mill grounds at a lower cost than Freedom Park, where the event was originally held.
Bill Stauts, first vice president of the business association and Medford Historical Society president, stepped up to help.
“We don’t have to pay the municipal costs, while showcasing the historical side to the township,” Freedman said.
The efforts of collaboration are far-reaching. The MBA is preparing the “Marketing to the Millennials” event, to be held at Shawnee High School in conjunction with the DECA club.
The MBA wanted to take the chance to hold something different than a festival.
“It’s nice to have something that’s more business-oriented and educational,” Vaughn said.
Additionally, neighboring Evesham Township hosts a Harvest Festival the first week of October, presenting the perfect opportunity for the MBA to switch it up.
“It’s a chance for us to diversify. Oktoberfest was something we could change up and do something different,” Freedman said.
Michael Willmann will be the speaker at the event, talking about how marketing has changed.
“Why reinvent the wheel? Why not look at naturally occurring partnerships that work well? This is perfect,” Freedman said.
Freedman noted the high school students are interested in the MBA, and the town’s future.
“They’ll be future business owners. They take jobs in town and they volunteer at events,” Freedman said. “It’s important for them to be involved.”
The partnerships of the MBA and various organizations help present their businesses, Vaughn said.
“These events help get their name out there to residents,” Vaughn said.
Additionally, the MBA will be involved with the Burlington County First program, which supports businesses throughout the county with gift cards to just businesses within the county.
The MBA will be joining the Burlington County First association as another avenue to support business and growth in the township.
“The MBA is getting bigger and stronger every year,” Freedman said. “The organization is offering more events. We have a lot of support.”
To learn more about the MBA or to find out about the next event, visit www.medfordbusiness.org.
