The Spuds and Spurs in Bath reemerged as a success. The event was held June 15 on South Chestnut Street between Main and Northampton streets.

The street festival honors the importance of the potato farm industry in Bath and the surrounding area. Originally called the Spuds and Suds Festival in 2016, the event achieved remarkable attendance and growth within three years.

The name changed in response to reported objections to using the term “suds” in the festival’s name. Spuds refers to potatoes and suds referred to beer. Potatoes can be used to make beer because they contain starch, which can be converted to sugar and then fermented into alcohol.

The festival survived after enduring the pandemic and then had to be held in a park because Northampton Street was being upgraded, keeping the festival from being held on Northampton and Chestnut streets that year. These developments delivered a body blow to the event as attendance receded.

Greater Northampton Area Chamber of Commerce was proud to present the sixth annual festival this year with beverage and potato- themed food vendors, live music, family friendly activities and more. The event was funded in whole or in part from funding received through the Northampton County Hotel Tax Program.

Music entertainment included DMC Duo and Steel Creek. Numerous food trucks and food vendor stands, adult beverages and other vendors selling jewelry, decorated mugs and coffee cups and more. Many businesses on Chestnut Street’s business district were also open, offering a variety of items from antiques, quality cigars, fresh coffee and more.

Andrea, Cathy and Neil Heimsoth, of Walnutport, enjoyed a beverage as they sat in the warm sunshine listening to DMC’s country and popular music. Earlier, Cathy Heimsoth played cornhole with her young grandson Liam.

The Biechy family - Chris, Josie and Chandler - served their time staffing the event command center answering questions attendees may have. Chandler Biechy serves the borough as the fire police captain.

As the day went on, attendance increased as people socialized, walked the streets and visited stands, including the potato food stand that offered a tasty stuffed potato.

The Spuds and Spurs 2024 reemergent success sets the stage for the regrowth of this popular street festival.