More than 3,500 people came out for the fourth annual Coffee Festival held at the La Villita Historic Arts Village to taste freshly brewed coffee, listen to live music, and eat from food carts. The smell of freshly roasted coffee filled the air and by 2:15 p.m. the festival had sold out of tickets and cups.
“We were expecting just a couple of people. This is incredible,” said Isaac Comings of Joseph E. Coffee, San Antonio’s “first and only coffee and cereal bar.” Comings’ booth, along with a four out of the 12 roasters in attendance also ran out of coffee by three.
Attendees were also surprised by the large crowds.
“I didn’t know it was going to be this packed. It’s fun and cool, once you get your coffee,” said Branden Jessurun with a laugh. The festival was originally scheduled for Dec. 12, but due to high winds and the possibility of rain that weekend, a new date was set. The highly publicized rescheduling and lack of competition from other holiday festivals contributed to the larger than normal number of people.
“This year we have twice as big of a crowd as last year,” said Mary VanZant, co-owner of Redbud Roasters, a San Marcos mom-and-pop coffee shop. “I don’t think anyone was expecting this big of a crowd.”
The Coffee Festival started in New Orleans, but founder Linda Brewster, moved herself and the festival to San Antonio.
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