The Taste of Mecosta County event on March 24 brought together a plethora of local restaurants, bakeries and caterers to showcase what they are cooking.
The event, which was hosted at The Peaks Event Center, gave attendees a chance to sample from multiple local vendors and listen to live music all in one place. More than just a night of food, this event highlighted the important connection between local businesses and the community, giving residents a chance to try new things while supporting small businesses across Mecosta County.
Vendors included a mix of well-known local favorites like Crankers and Hungry Howies, as well as some smaller businesses trying to expand their reach within the community. Each vendor offered sample-sized dishes, allowing attendees to experience a wide range of flavours throughout the night.
One of these local favorites, Crankers Brewery, brought both classic and new items from their menu to showcase at the event.
Jim Crank, owner and operator of Cranker’s, explained some of the new options they were bringing to the table.
“The dishes we brought to the event were chicken parmesan with Garlic Spaghetti and our new torpedo submarines made with premium Italian meats and cheeses,” Crank said.
Attendees were encouraged to vote for their favorite vendors to foster competition among local vendors. Attendees were also given tickets upon entry to participate in a prize giveaway that ran all night.
Another local business, The Sugar Daddies LLC, participated in the event for the first time and offered a wide range of delicious desserts.
One of The Sugar Daddies owners, Jamie Larson, spoke about his dishes.
“We offered a variety of cupcakes, brownies, cookies, macarons, and cake pops,” Larson said.
This event offered local restaurants, bakers and caterers a chance to connect with the community and showcase what sets them apart. Events like this help small and even well-known local businesses reach new audiences and grow.
“These types of events are not only fun,” Larson said. “They are a great way to get our name out to community members who maybe haven’t heard of us before and give them the opportunity to try out some of our goods before deciding to book us for future events.”
The event gave local businesses not only a chance to connect with the community and existing customers but also to reach new clientele.
“We had a great mix of regulars and fresh faces at this event, and had the opportunity to pass out a lot of business cards,” Larson said.
Guests were able to try new food and learn about the people and ideas behind the taste. The combination of food, live music and conversations created an atmosphere that emphasized both entertainment and community involvement.
Crank emphasized the importance of community support for local businesses like his.
“The Big Rapids community and surrounding communities mean everything,” Crank said. “We invested in Big Rapids because it really has a lot to offer with the university and a small-town feel with a lot of local resources to bring great food.”
Throughout the night, the event space remained busy as attendees moved from table to table, sampling dishes, asking questions and interacting directly with local business owners. The setup allowed for meaningful conversations between vendors and guests.
“Participating does showcase your business and lets the community know you care and want to be there,” Crank said.
Danette Doyle of the Pioneer, the organization hosting the event, said the event exceeded expectations and reflected strong community support.
“We were thrilled with the turnout for our first Taste of Mecosta, welcoming more than 200 attendees and 12 incredible local vendors,” Doyle said. “It was a fantastic night filled with great food, live music, and community connection. We’re excited to build on this momentum and grow the event even more in 2027.”
With more than 200 attendees and a wide range of participating vendors, the event demonstrated a growing interest in supporting local food and the important connection between these vendors and their customers.
The Taste of Mecosta County went off without a hitch and was a night of food, fun, and community bonding. Leaving both vendors and attendees looking forward to future events and the continued growth of the local food scene across Mecosta County.