An estimated 5,000 people turned out to the first-ever Bagel Festival in Monticello on August 17 and 18. Jeffrey Siegel, owner of the Spencer Daniels Agency, which produced the festival, said, “The only way it could have been more fabulous would be maybe if President Obama stopped by. It was just great.”

He said that the festival will definitely be held again next year. He said he was pleased there were many vendors, and comments from both vendors and visitors were positive.

Siegel put a lot of time and effort into promoting the festival, including having Monticello officially dubbed the Bagel Capital by the Sullivan County Legislature, the Town of Thompson and the New York Senate.

Siegel has said there is an authentic connection to bagel history, as the first bagel-making machine was built in nearby Hurleyville.