Rome Prepares for Erie Canal Party with Soup Tasting Competition

A delicious food tasting this weekend will serve as a fundraiser for the upcoming Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebration.

The Rome Main Street Alliance is hosting the CNY SOUPer Bowl on Saturday from 11:30 to 3 at the Historic Rome Train Station at 6599 Martin Street.

It will features soup offerings from a dozen area restaurants and eateries:

• Brenda's Natural Foods, Rome
• Coalyard Charlie's, Rome
• The Delta Lake Inn, Rome
• DeSalvo's, Rome
• The Grapevine, New Hartford
• Maggie's Cafe, Rome
• Nola's, Clinton
• Pantry 284, Utica
• Smith's Farm, Rome
• Spressos Coffeehouse, Rome
• Teddy's, Rome
• Villa Verona Vineyard and Bistro, Verona

There will also be a cash bar featuring beer, wine and soda from Woodland Farms Brewery and Villa Verona Vineyard. Organizers say Utica Bread is donating bread to pair with the soups, chowders and bisques. Attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for the 'Best Soup of CNY' award.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Advance tickets are available at the Rome Capitol Theatre Box Office, or by calling (315) 337-6277.

The event is another in a series of fundraisers by the Rome Main Streets Alliance in preparation for a weekend of activities to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal. The bicentennial weekend is scheduled for July 22-23, 2017 at Bellamy Harbor Park in Rome.