ROCK HILL, NY — Monticello businessman Jeff Siegel, the driving force behind the Monticello Bagel Festival, said that the event drew 5,000 people in the first year, 12,000 in the next, and he hopes 15,000 to 20,000 will turn out in 2015.

He spoke at a meeting at Bernie’s Holiday Restaurant in Rock Hill on January 7.

Others taking the microphone included Cathy Paty, president of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, who said the festival is a national event, and other festivals across the country started out the same way.

Roberta Byron-Lockwood, president of the Sullivan County Visitors Association, said of the festival, “It’s a reason to stay longer in the county… we encourage all of our businesses to cross-pollinate.”

Scott Samuelson, chair of the Sullivan County Legislature said, “Any event that takes place in the county impacts the entire county and helps the county with its budget.”

The festival is scheduled for August 16. Siegel said the cost of mounting the event is about $80,000, and he said he is seeking a “limited number of sponsors.” More information is available at thebagelfestival.org.