'Cake Boss' Expected To Draw Large Crowd

A large crowd is expected to pack the streets of downtown Woodstock in anticipation of Buddy Valastro's visit to Foxtale Book Shoppe on Tuesday.

Valastro will grace Woodstock with his presence at noon Tuesday at the bookstore where he will share 100 delicious, essential Italian-American recipes, from his grandmother's secret dishes to his personal favorites.

He will also share his own signature touches that make dinner a family event in his newest book, "Cooking Italian with the Cake Boss, Family Favorites as Only Buddy Can Serve Them Up." 

Buddy Valastro and his family business, Carlo's Bake Shop, have become a worldwide phenomenon due to the popularity of TLC's Cake Boss, Kitchen Boss and Next Great Baker.

Ellen Ward, co-owner of Foxtale, said 150 tickets have been sold for the event and most people plan to bring at least one other person with them to the event.

"We definitely expected a huge turnout with Buddy being such a popular personality," she said. 

Foxtale is often the sole appearance for many authors in the southeastern part of the United States, which Ward added helps "put Woodstock on the map."

Foxtale's events have brought hundreds of people into downtown Woodstock before. When Dog The Bounty Hunter visited Foxtale in March 2010, over 650 people descend onto downtown Woodstock, Ward said.

She also said author Adriana Trigiani's appearance earlier this year became so big that they had to rent out Elm Street Arts' theatre just to accommodate everyone.

Ward said they are working with city leaders to maximize their efforts to inform residents of available parking spaces in the downtown area. 

"This will be great exposure for the city of Woodstock, bringing many new faces to the downtown area," she said, adding the city's Convention and Visitor's Bureau has also helped in promoting the event. "We expect many of the restaurants and local businesses to benefit both the day of the event and with future return visitors."  

Not only did Ward say she hopes people will turn out to show Valastro some southern hospitality, she also said she hopes residents take the chance to meet one of the people behind some of television's most popular shows.

"Buddy is very charismatic and family oriented and we know it will be a blast for all," she said. "We think a signed book from Buddy The Cake Boss make a great unique holiday gift."

For those who can't make the trip to Foxtale, the store is accepting orders to be picked up later or mailed. For more information, call (770) 516-9989.