Town Turns Out For Taste of Galloway

The residents of Galloway are unified in at least one aspect: they all like a good deal on a good meal.

Approximately 600 people turned out Thursday night, June 28, for the inaugural Taste of Galloway in . According to President Mary Crawford, the GTBA generated approximately $4,000 to be donated to the Hope Chest at

And according to a couple of residents of Galloway Township and neighboring communities, the food was delicious.

“I had some crab cakes, scallops and clams from , shrimp and clams from Maxwell’s, ribs from and potato chips from ,” said Anne Brown, a Smithville resident. “I saw that this was going on and I thought it would be really nice to come to.”

The ribs from JD’s Pub and everything from Oyster Creek seemed to be the most popular items of the night, but nearly all the vendors left with their supplies completed depleted.

“We saw it in the paper and it looked interesting so we wanted to come out and try it,” said Marty Moyer, who came with his wife Gerry from Little Egg Harbor. “It was worth it.  … We’re both stuffed up.”

Tickets for the event started off at $10 a piece, $30 maximum for a family. However, a sea of people invaded the Smithville parking lot at 5 p.m., and the feast began with the wristbands, an appetizer readily consumed by hungry patrons. Eventually, the price of bands would be cut in half, and after that, some people had to be turned away.

Then it was on to the main courses, as patrons feasted on food provided by JD’s, Oyster Creek, Maxwell Shellfish,, , , , and .

It wasn’t limited to restaurants and supermarkets, though, as Homestead Nursery, Flopsie the Clown, , , Rally to Rescue, and non-profits, including Hope Chest, , Go Green Galloway and the , were in attendance.

“I think this is a great event,” said Homestead Nursery President Duane Demaree, who was offering blueberries and coffee mugs to those who stopped by his tent.

“I always attend conventions, and this is great for networking,” said Flopsie the Clown, real name Amira Mills, who was making balloon animals for the children in attendance.

There was also musical entertainment, including 94.3 FM, the Absecon Academy of the Performing Arts, the Choir, Absegami’s Henry Moore playing the keyboard, and 4A Star singer Nancy Malcun, of Egg Harbor Township.

“Anything to promote Galloway is great,” Councilman Brian Tyrrell said. “It’s good to see so many people come together. Anyone coming here and paying $10 got a heck of a deal.”

Former Ireland and Old Lace Owner Kelly Coleman initially suggested the idea over a year ago. Her store has since left, but her idea saw the light of day Thursday night.

“I’m amazed at the crowd,” said Wendie Fitzgerald, co-owner on the Village Greene side of Smithville. “They did a fabulous job. It reminds the locals that we have great local eateries in the community.”

The turnout was overwhelming, and this Taste of Galloway doesn’t appear to be the last.

"We were expecting 150-200 people," Crawford said. "It's warm and it's a Thursday night, and it's great to see all the people who came out. And they're all local people.

"We'll do another one next year, with some expansion."