Dennis Jon Bailey

My crack team of Franklin Street veterans Jill Trautvetter and Dr. Kurt Tillman along with rookie Nick Dus hit the street early this year bound for booths 1 – 33. Here’s a full report: Booth 1. Granted – For those who remember, the famous Pork Chop sandwich but those in the know are keen on their desserts including the incredible Pumpkin Bread Pudding, a past award winner and didn’t disappoint today. Among the very best of the desserts we sampled today.

One morning in 2016 I woke up in Portland, Maine, and thought, “Why do I live here?” I’d recently been divorced (for the second time), both my parents had passed, my mom only a few years before, my daughter was living across the country in San Francisco, and my two brothers were in different states. And here I was in the state where I was born, approaching retirement age, never having lived anywhere else.

First, what a team! 5 years and running for Jill Trautvetter, Hannah Rodocker and Kurt Tillman! Booth 75 Vanderburgh Humane Society – their signature item – Fried Green Tomatoes! And they didn’t disappoint! Available with dipping sauces but we went with them straight deep fried to perfection. Booth 76 Highland Baseball – Last year’s WIKY 2nd Place Best of the Festival Winner for their amazing German Bologna Sandwich with pepper jack and fried egg.