WEST CAPE MAY — It was a lima bean dream. Imagine a repast of lima bean soup, lima bean chili, lima bean empanadas and a dessert of lima bean ice cream, and it could even be served on lima bean painted dishes. All this, and more, made its way to Wilbraham Park on Sat., Oct. 8 as part of the 26th annual West Cape May Lima Bean Festival.
According to organizers, approximately 20,000 festival goers attended the event that benefits the triangular-shaped park.
“West Cape May was the lima bean capital of the world in the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s,” said Diane Flanegan, chairman of the event. “They grew almost all of the lima beans for the world,” she added.
The borough lost its claim to international fame when Hanover Farms withdrew its contract and moved to California, said Flanegan.
Since 1985 the quirky festival has grown like a proverbial beanstalk. Almost 100 vendors sold their wares. Lima bean T-shirts spouting, “Bean me up, Sprouty!” lima bean jewelry, lima bean hats, birdhouses, and pottery abounded through the packed aisles.
The festival even boasted its own king and queen. Two boxes sat on a table beckoning bean lovers to nominate themselves or a loved one for the coveted crowns. Next to them were the paper crowns that would be placed upon the beans of the royal pair during the coronation. The criteria for being named a member of the royal lima lineage? Luck of the draw.
Brooke Dodds of North Cape May and her business partner Amanda Pierce of Villas were taking it all in. The duo are owners of Empanada Mamas, a company Dodds started in 2010. This was their first Lima Bean Festival. Their lima bean turkey empanadas sold like hot cakes.
“We’ve been selling lots of these,” said Dodds.
Irene Gibbons of Cape May stood in line awaiting her empanada. A true lima lover, Gibbons shared that she loved all things lima bean.
“I love them!” she exclaimed. “I love them just plain. There’s a texture to them that other vegetables just don’t have.”
Joe Battle, owner of J.B.’s Barbeque and a 40-year resident of West Cape May, couldn’t agree more.
“I love lima beans,” he said. “I love the taste of them. I eat them all the time. Any way you make them, I eat them.”
One of the more interesting offerings at the festival was a newcomer to the menu, lima bean ice cream. Offered by Bliss Homemade Ice Cream in Cape May, the frozen delight was a hit.
According to Mike Boschen, the cold confection is made with a combination of corn, lima beans and bell peppers, then pureed so there are no chunks in it.
“Nicole is very adventurous,” said Boschen, referring to his wife’s lima bean culinary creation.
The couple co-owns the shop that opened on July 2 of this year.
Joe Meyers of Baltimore was found stocking up on lima bean soup from Vanthia’s. Meyers was in town for the festival as well as an opportunity to bird watch. This was Meyers’ second festival.
“We’ve won for best dish in 2003 as well as most creative way to use the bean,” said Vanthia’s owner Demetria Mercado, as she ladled out a bowl of soup for a reporter to sample.
“All of the lima bean food sold out, as well as the other food,” Flanegan told the Herald.
“People told me it was the best lima bean festival ever.”
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
