MONTICELLO – Monticello’s 2026 Bagel Fest is a go thanks to Alan Kesten, Bold Gold New York General Manager Dawn Ciorciari, and former Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Chair Chris Schmidt coming before the Village Board last week.

With 2026 being the 14th year of the Bagel Festival, Kesten reminded the board of its “tremendous success” over the past years. He recounted that the fest has grown year after year, with him estimating last year to draw over 20,000 on Broadway.

“Vendors made money, local business made money, everybody [did] that was involved,” recounted Kesten. “The Car Show was the biggest that they’ve ever had. Last year we expanded [to] the full length of Broadway right here on the corner [Village Hall] all the way to Jefferson Street.”

He summarized the turnout as “a full house” in the grand scheme. Kesten also mentioned National Bagel Day being on January 15 and that will open the start of the Bagel Festival, which is scheduled for August 9.

Kesten recounted that, since the event takes place on Broadway, Department of Transportation permits are needed but only after the O.K. from the Village Board and Police Department.

Village Manager James Snowden commended Kesten on his success with the Bagel Fest and joked that, with 20,000 people at the last event, the village “needs a dollar from each person to be successful.”

Ciorciari added that the Bagel Festival is run by volunteers and that the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce inherited the event from the Monticello Chamber who “couldn’t do it any longer.” She noted that they took it on after “nobody else wanted to touch it.”

“These volunteers have kept it going. We met your requirements as far as cleanup, anything that we’ve been asked to do we’ve done,” recounted Ciorciari. “We picked up the stickers last year that you’ve asked. I drove by Broadway Monday morning [after] and it was pristine and there was no garbage.”

Village Attorney Michael Sussman suggested the board make a resolution providing a letter of support, with a motion by Trustee Theodore Hutchins and seconded by Trustee Gordon Jenkins with all present board members in favor.

A drive for fun

During his Manager’s Report, Snowden announced that Village Mayor Rochelle Massey is sponsoring her annual toy drive. He explained that the village is seeking people to bring toys to give to kids in need.

“Any families that wish to sign up for the program, you can sign up in the Village Hall,” Snowden said. “It will be toys that are available for the kids that need them.”