SUNSET PARK — This year’s sold-out Brooklyn SeltzerFest once again provided a bubbly atmosphere in Industry City on March 15.
Over 1,000 people attended the event that included tastings, comedy, activities, music and the Third National Egg Cream Invitational.
The day-long festivities were hosted by the Brooklyn Seltzer Museum and the egg cream contest was sponsored by Fox’s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup.
Fox’s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup sponsored the annual National Egg Cream Invitational. Photo: Lamar Salter
“We were absolutely blown away by all the effervescent spirit brought by the day’s over 100 entertainers and vendors who participated in this labor of love,” said Barry Joseph, executive director of the Brooklyn Seltzer Museum. “Whether it was actress Tova Feldshuh being crowned the 2026 Seltzer Queen before spritzing the crowd with seltzer, the Locavore selling special seltzer-themed merchandise, or a half-dozen retired seltzermen sitting for selfies and story sharing, the day left attendees feeling the fizz.”
Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor on Staten Island took home the trophy for the egg cream competition, also known as the Golden Siphon.The parlor has been around since 1932.
Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor receives the Golden Siphon. Photo: Yiyi Zhang
“It was an honor winning the third annual National Egg Cream Competition and competing alongside such great competition,” said Danielle Raleigh, owner of Egger’s. “Receiving the award of the Golden Syphon was incredible, and we are humbled to join the list of past winners, Eric Berley from The Franklin Fountain in Philadelphia, as well as Gia and Pete from The Brooklyn Farmacy. The work that the Brooklyn Seltzer Boys put into this event is second to none, and none of this would have been possible without them. We look forward to prominently displaying the golden syphon in Egger’s this year.”
Seltzer enthusiasts enjoyed plenty of samples and activities. Photo: Lamar Salter
Other competitors included Tom’s Restaurant, Greenberg’s Bagels, GERTIE and Fishs Eddy from Brooklyn, Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse from Manhattan, the Borscht Belt Deli and Hank Schwartz’s Delicatessen & Appetizing in New Jersey, and Bubbs Seltzer of Texas.
This year’s Egg Cream judges were actress and singer Jackie Hoffman, who was nominated for an Emmy for “Feud: Bette and Joan” and SAG-nominated for show “Only Murders in the Building,” along with last year’s winner Gia Giasullo of Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, Dave Roffe of Old Jewish Men of New York and Carlo Formisano, known as Carlo the Chicken Man, who drinks egg creams at least five days a week.
Plenty of egg creams were made throughout the Brooklyn SeltzerFest. Photo: Lamar Salter
Runners-up were also recognized.
Tom’s Restaurant won best presentation of an egg cream, Hank Schwartz’s Delicatessen & Appetizing won best performance in the creation of an egg cream, Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse won best tasting classic egg cream and The Borscht Belt Deli got best tasting artisanal.
Seltzer enthusiasts enjoyed plenty of samples and activities. Photo: Lamar Salter
Seltzer enthusiasts also enjoyed unlimited tastings from local and global seltzer producers, meet and greets, live klezmer from the Seltzer Klezmer Spritz-tacular and stand-up performances from Kosha Dillz, Anna Roisman, Liz Glazer and Josh Cahn.
“Now in its second year, Brooklyn SeltzerFest continues to grow as a celebration of the city’s living seltzer heritage — blending food, humor, history and performance into a festival that is both nostalgic and distinctly contemporary,” stated the Brooklyn Seltzer Museum in a statement.
Seltzer enthusiasts enjoyed plenty of samples and activities. Photo: Lamar Salter
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
