Ticket sales slated for outdoor Soup's On! in Ligonier

Ligonier’s annual Soup’s On! sampling of local fare is set to return next month — with a new venue, the town’s central Diamond Park.

The 2020 Soup’s On! event, during which attendees would have visited individual eateries, was postponed and eventually cancelled because of restrictions related to the covid-19 pandemic.

This year, in keeping with safeguards to help prevent the spread of the virus, participating restaurants and organizations will have soup specialties available for tasting at outdoor booths around the Diamond.

The popular event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 20.

However, only 400 tickets will be sold, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25.

“People are looking forward to this event,” said Amy Beitel, executive director of the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce, which organizes it. “It’s an opportunity to be outside. We’re very fortunate to have it back after last year.”

During this year’s event, Ligonier merchants will be open to welcome shoppers. Visitors who get a bingo card stamped at participating shops may turn it in to enter a drawing for prizes.

They’ll also be able to vote for their favorite soup.

Those who attend Soup’s On! are asked to follow pandemic-related health guidelines of the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Usually the people are lined up shoulder to shoulder,” Ligonier Mayor Butch Bellas said of past Soup’s On! events. “This year it will be a little bit different.

“It’s good for everybody, especially the restaurants. They’re hurting because of the restrictions.”

Tickets cost $20 and are expected to go fast.

A limited number will be available in person at the chamber office, 120 E Main St., Ligonier. They’ll also be available by searching for Ligonier Soup’s On! at Eventbrite.com. Tickets won’t be sold by phone or voicemail.

For more details, contact office@ligonierchamber.com or 724-238-4200.