The streets of Monticello were filled with the aroma of festive food, family-friendly activities, and the sound of live music on Sunday, August 10th, as the community came out to celebrate the 12th annual Bagel Festival. 

This year’s event attracted over 200 vendors that sold an array of delicious street food and specialty goods. Local organizations also joined in the fun by handing out flyers, tote bags and small giveaways to connect with the community. 

One end of the festival featured the Restoration Church’s ‘Kid’s Zone’, where children enjoyed inflatable bouncy houses, played games, and won prizes. The other end of the street was filled with the Kings Collision sponsored any-make-any-model car show, which drew crowds of car enthusiasts eager to see and vote for their favorite automobiles.

The heart of the festival was the Monticello Bagel Bakery, where lines stretched out the door as customers waited eagerly to get one of their signature bagels. The atmosphere on the street buzzed with excitement as many festivalgoers took photos with the giant metal bagel sculpture across the street from the bakery. 

Several musical acts brought the groove, including local band Jaketown Road, who performed at the festival for the first time. “Supporting local musicians is really important, and it adds to the fun,” said guitarist and vocalist John Wickes.

The crowd ate up the ever-popular bagel contests, which challenged participants to roll bagels down the street as far as they could go and stack them as high as possible without falling. Cheers and laughter erupted as competitors tested their skills with these lighthearted games. 

The Bagel Festival has done it again, bringing joy and family-friendly fun to the community while supporting local businesses and celebrating the beloved bagel.