Pineapple and pumpkin festivals are getting added to a full slate of MVRA events in 2023
This year is shaping up to be a huge one for Miami Valley Restaurant Association events.
The nonprofit organization that works to support and promote local restaurants has a full slate of dates on the calendar coming up through spring, summer and fall, with familiar events that will be back and bigger than ever and some new events on the horizon.
Following a successful Winter Restaurant Week at the end of January this year, the organization will kick things off this week on March 8 with Buckeye Vodka Battle of the Bartenders, featuring some of the best mixologists in town as they battle for the coveted title of Best Bartender and Best Drink in Town.
Participating restaurants include Carver’s Steakhouse, CBCB Grill, El Meson, The Last Queen, Loose Ends Brewing, Meadowlark Restaurant, Rip Rap Roadhouse, Smith’s Boathouse, Watermark Restaurant and Wheat Penny.
The event will feature food and bites and concoctions from some of the Miami Valley’s most talented bartenders. There are a handful of tickets that are still available for the event at the Steam Plant at 617 E. 3rd St., Dayton.
“We only have a little over 60 tickets left for the event. The VIP sold out in a week. We are expecting a fun night with lots of great food and drink,” said Amy Zahora, executive director of the MVRA. “I have had countless people ask me when are we going to bring this event back, and you can tell by ticket sales how happy everyone is that we did.”
This event is just one of many that Zahora is throwing this year that are expected to draw an estimated 100,000 people over the course of this year.
MVRA is also introducing two new events this year — Pineapple Fest and Pumpkin Fest.
Pineapple Fest, which will take place July 15 at Austin Landing. The focus is on the featured star of the event — pineapple. It will be all things pineapple, with menu items like pineapple on a stick, pineapple salsa, grilled pineapple, pineapple tacos and much more. The beer garden will feature several pineapple craft beers and seltzers, as well. There will be more than 20 retail and food vendors for this event including: El Meson, Rolling Indulgence, Little Boijon Asian Cuisine, Smokin Inferno BBQ and Catering, Arctic Fox and Ja’s and Sweet-umm’s. This event will be the first that Zahora has been able to find that will celebrate all things pineapple.
Pumpkin Fest is Oct. 14, also at Austin landing. The event in the heart of the fall season will feature pumpkin spiced lattes, pumpkin funnel cakes, cotton candy, pumpkin kettle corn and pumpkin beers.
Why add events to an already packed schedule? The answer is an easy one for Zahora.
“People have so much fun attending these events. It gives them something to do with their friends and family, and it’s a great way to get out and support our amazing restaurants and food trucks in the area,” said Zahora. “Each of these events usually hits a little over 10,000 people during the day. It’s clear that the community is hungry, literally and figuratively, for events like these, and it’s a great opportunity for our local restaurants and food trucks to shine.”
MVRA 2023 Festivals
March 8: Buckeye Vodka Battle of the Bartenders at the Steam Plant, 617 E 3rd St, Dayton
June 10 Wine Fest at The Greene
June 16: Party at Austin Landing benefiting the Skylar Kooken Scholarship Foundation
June 23: VIP Preview to Pickle Fest at Austin Landing
June 24: Pickle Fest — Just Dill With It at Austin Landing
July 1: Stars, Stripes and Brews at The Greene
July 7: Party at Austin Landing with the Pink Ribbon Girls
July 8: Kickin’ Chicken Wing Fest at Fraze Pavilion
July 15: Pineapple Fest at Austin Landing
July 19: Sneak Peek to Summer Restaurant Week at The Steam Plant
July 23-30: Summer Restaurant Week
Aug. 19: Bacon Fest at Fraze Pavilion
Aug. 26: Taco and Nacho Fest at Austin Landing
Sept. 16: Beer Fest at The Greene
Sept. 30: Octoberfest at The Greene
Oct. 14: Pumpkin Fest at Austin Landing
For more information on these events or to purchase tickets, visit www.dineoutdayton.com.
Dayton Eats looks at the regional food stories and restaurant news that make mouths water. Menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes and culinary adventures. Do you know of new exciting format changes, specials, happy hours, restaurant updates or any other tasty news you think is worth a closer look at? E-mail Alexis Larsen at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com with the information and we will work to include it in future coverage.