Our event calendar has quickly filled up this season with events designed to keep our amazing community engaged and energized! NWBRV’s Millrace Kitchen staff and members especially look forward to the “Taste of Millrace,” an event that takes place Saturday, December 3. In collaboration with the annual Main Street Holiday Stroll and the city of Woonsocket’s Winter Wonderland, the Taste of Millrace is free and open to the public–no registration required!
With a multitude of food samples at your disposal, your choices for holiday catering will be on full display. Make sure to save room in your tummies for Bugg’d Out BBQ, as Millrace staple Jermaine Robinson will be present with a sampling of his legendary BBQ creations!
I’m so looking forward to this event! I love seeing all the kids and families in the community coming out and having a good time. I just love to see when people enjoy my food!”
Jermaine Robinson, Bugg’d Out BBQ
Located at 40 South Main Street, this culinary-centered stop promises to be a complete delight. Taking place from 2-7pm at the Millrace Patio and event space, the Taste of Millrace will be a chance for the community to sample food from several of our kitchen members–while also enjoying the surrounding festivities!
As a participant in the stroll, Millrace Kitchen and Event Space will be decorated to the heights of holiday splendor. Attendees can expect to sample a range of delicacies from Millrace Kitchen members–everything from Caribbean specialties and barbecue to elegant cupcakes and other sweet treats!”
Millrace Kitchen Manger, Jason Lawrence
Participating Millrace businesses include Lucy’s Dog Biscuits, Twisted Churros, DaniCakesRI, Caribbean Delights, Chelcuterie and Bugg’d Out BBQ! And don’t forget to keep an eye out for Geri, of Geri’s Bluffing Boutique, and her unique style, as she’s gracing Millrace this holiday season with her gift of festive decorating!
When planning for the Holidays, think simple, unique and festive! I love to add a little uniqueness and culture during the holidays!”
Geraldine Barclay-King, Geri’s Bluffing Boutique
After you get your taste of Millrace, holiday stroll attendees can continue their way down Main Street–either by foot, Newport Viking Trolley, or horse drawn carriage! In collaboration with the Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative, the day-long Holiday Stroll comes complete with performances from local schools, churches and dance teams. Centered in the Mullen Municipal Parking Lot, across from the Woonsocket Call, participants can enjoy a DJ and food trucks in between live entertainment. Truly a stroll for all ages, the Main Street Holiday Stroll will also feature a Christmas tree decorating party, children’s coloring contest and Main Street wide scavenger hunt!
“To participate in the scavenger hunt, pick up your materials right off the bat!” said Main Street Holiday Stroll Event Chair Steve Casey. “Drop by all participating stores and local businesses and fill it out as you stroll. A lot of the stores have something fun to offer shoppers–everything from snacks and hot chocolate to activities and an ongoing window decorating contest! Submit your info when you’ve completed the hunt, and you’ll be entered into our raffle. We have a couple grand prizes that are pretty great!”
After enjoying all the holiday spirit Main Street has to offer, we encourage you to continue on to River Island Art Park, as the Woonsocket Winter Wonderland will also be in full swing! From 3-8pm, this festive corner of Woonsocket will feature a fire pit, Food Trucks, treats and hot cocoa from New Beginnings, a K9 Demonstration from 3-4pm, live music from 4:30-7:30pm, live ice and wood carving shows, petting zoo and pony rides and last but most definitely not least–a visit from the big guy himself, Santa Clause! Santa will be available from 4-8pm–perfect timing to get those holiday wishes in to cap off this busy Woonsocket Saturday!
In true “spirit of giving” style, the Taste of Millrace event is backed by the Citizens Growing Communities Program, which provides grants to foster neighborhood revitalization efforts and invest in the economic development of the community. The Taste of Millrace is grateful to be benefiting from Citizens Bank’s mission to support and highlight small family owned food businesses, generating much appreciated publicity during the holiday season! We’d like to acknowledge and thank Citizens for their continued support and encouragement of our work here at NeighborWorks.
“Funders are central to the work we do on a daily basis,” said NWBRV’s Daynah Williams. “Their help allows us to ensure the services we provide are impactful and continue to grow. While Citizens is always willing to provide NWBRV with monetary means, they are also willing to assist us in teaching and often participate in current events. Our collaboration with Citizens is a true example of community partnership at work!”
From hot cocoa bombs and gourmet Belgium chocolate treats, to scratch made food fired pizzas and fried chicken, Millrace Kitchen members have your cuisine preferences bases covered—right down to your beloved family pets! Since opening in 2017, over 40 food businesses have worked out of the kitchen space at 40 South Main Street. Kitchen members, who rent the kitchen by the hour while also utilizing cooler and/or dry storage, have the opportunity to showcase what makes their food business startup special and unique.
“NeighborWorks’ incubator/commissary kitchen space is rented by a wide variety of talented culinary entrepreneurs,” former Millrace Kitchen Manager Tracey Belliveau said. “This setup allows members to build their client base without having to purchase large equipment or their own brick and mortar store. Attending this fabulous event will support our local food entrepreneurs and add to the vibrancy of our community!”
For easy access, up to date information about NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley’s Millrace Kitchen, follow member stories on Facebook.