Johnny Cake Festival

29/09/2014

We are sad to announce that the 2014 Johnny Cake Festival at Kenyon’s Grist Mill has been officially canceled. To ensure the success of this event, our small staff at the mill and two main coordinators begin planning and developing 14 months in advance. It is a monumental project! Over the winter, the Drumm family suffered a tremendous loss of a loved one – Paul Drumm Jr., caretaker of a Rhode Island tradition and owner of Kenyon’s Grist Mill since 1971. During a very long and trying time, amidst the most critical planning months, the difficult decision to cancel the festival was made. We hope to re-open the Johnny Cake Festival in 2016 with a big celebration, but there are a few changes that need to take place that will make the event even better. Sign up for our Kenyon’s Grist Mill Millstone Newsletter, which we electronically send out 1-2 times a year. This is a great way to keep in touch with us!

We apologize to all of our fans and friends who look forward to this unique and authentic event. We put so much passion, love, devotion, and time into re-creating it over the years and enjoyed working with and promoting so many wonderful, local businesses. Thank you for your support in the past and your interest in the future. We must now focus on our primary business, Kenyon’s Grist Mill, and continue to keep my dad’s legacy alive and strong.
Sincerely, Paul Drumm III

21/10/2013

Thank you to all who visited, participated, and volunteered at the 2013 Johnny Cake Festival at Kenyon's Grist Mill this past weekend. We work very hard throughout the year and sincerely hope you and your family had a fabulous time! Mark your calendars for next year - October 18 & 19, 2014. For more information, visit www.JohnnyCakeFestival.com.

13/10/2013

This morning, we had a half hour interview with Phil Marlowe on Cat Country WCTK 98.1 FM. We talked about the Johnny Cake Festival next weekend and the history of Kenyon's Grist Mill.

10/10/2013

Check out this envelope from 1976 with a Johnny Cake Festival stamp!

08/10/2013

We are so excited for next weekend's Johnny Cake Festival on Oct. 19 & 20 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. In addition to an abundance of local food, handmade and fine art, history, demonstrations, over 125 participants, wine, beer, autumn spirits, and amazing scenery along the river and waterfall... there will be sixteen bands playing live on two stages throughout the weekend. Music ranges from bluegrass, folk, blues, classical, Appalachian, old-time, country, and more. For a schedule, click the link below...

Enjoy a variety of music from over 12 local bands! Visit the website for a schedule and sample songs.

24/09/2013

Enjoy footage from the Big E by Channel 12 WPRI's The Rhode Show!

Millions of people visit The Big E every year making it the sixth largest fair in the country.

20/09/2013

We were honored to be on Fox News this week for "On the road to Rhode Island" reported by Anna Kooiman. We will be at the Big E until Sept. 29. (Notice the Johnny Cake Festival sign!) Enjoy the video below...and come visit us!

Anna Kooiman reports from 'The Big E' fair in Mass.

07/09/2013

We will be serving Johnny Cakes at the Big E in West Springfield, MA...along with Clam Cakes & Chowder! Sept 13 - 29: Visit us in the back of the Rhode Island Building. See you soon! www.thebige.com

13/08/2013

It may be raining in Rhode Island today, but get ready for a beautiful rest of the week at the 47th Annual Washington County Fair in Richmond, RI. This wonderful, family event runs from August 14-15 (Wednesday-Sunday). The Washington County Fair and Pomona Grange have been great partners. The past few years, they have allowed us to use the fairgrounds for parking for the Johnny Cake Festival at Kenyon's Grist Mill. This year's date is October 19 & 20... See you soon!

Owned and operated by the volunteers of the Washington County Pomona Grange, the Washington County Fair, a non-profit organization, has been a great New England tradition for the past 47 years! The Fair is Rhode Island's largest agricultural event. One of the biggest draws to the Fair is today's Cou...

08/08/2013

We found this old photo of the Queen’s River Baptist Church and congregation. This historic building is only a short walk from Kenyon’s Grist Mill. In the late 80s, the Johnny Cake Festival donated excess funds to help replace the roof. The church still holds services today. There is a cemetery alongside and behind the church. Makes you wonder who in this picture is buried there…

13/06/2013

This photo of our old Model T Ford was taken at the Johnny Cake Festival 30 years ago! Thank you M. Alice Hayden for sharing! We are so glad that you, your husband, Mark and your brother, Ted had fond memories of the festival. This is the very reason we are continuing the tradition. We love to see older photos like this. If anyone has photos of the past, we would love to see them!

02/06/2013

This older postcard of the mill is used on the cover of our catalog. As the largest manufacturer of Johnny Cake Meal, grain was transported as far away as Providence and Pawtucket by horse and buggy and delivered to various markets across the state. Farmers would also bring their corn to ground and apples to be pressed.