The New York Coffee Festival is set to invigorate coffee drinkers this weekend, as it returns to New York City for its 5th annual celebration of coffee culture. The Festival kicks off today, Friday, October 11th at 11am and will be continuing throughout the weekend. Tickets are still available at <ahref=”http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001JKn8dOujP6UXO1necdx4GOt4k6-M9w3Ohr0GaJq6TxHD_iKs4WkgaTxR7ipGHbtfl-KzLWdSX_F0xiEgGynuzP9yD8lKMHBb9ParOvItFv6EPZNsfFE-Yhhgsf7aFyT9rOKsVbO1ckqS8vy0hu3kxKjnz0XDetp3eRsBk87yYo4bAa5xH_SsAusxog6fHP6iC9VNbDrFEm8=&c=GP6VaOFAkY-zPaYTwhl8XUJ67zsVmXxyHUtyiHZ7pMeJFbSzd2ExDQ==&ch=O-fxwndEroXO7QYSz0Y41bl_6Y8QcfErBBQuFaoN5CTnC6r1XdB1yA==”>www.newyorkcoffeefestival.com/tickets.   Over the course of this weekend, coffee beginners and aficionados alike will be able to dive into the wide world of coffee, with over 115 innovative exhibitors including Partner’s Coffee Roasters, Devoción, Bluestone Lane, Think Coffee, Rishi Tea, Keep Cup, and more. Attendees will also be able to sample the best that New York has to offer in food, cocktails, live music, art, and more.   Starting today, attendees will be able to watch the inaugural Roast Masters™ – North America competition. Judged by a panel of leading industry figureheads, 25 of North America’s most up-and-coming roasters will be battling head-to-head for the coveted Roast Masters™ title. The Roast Masters area will also include a Brew Bar, where roasters will alternate to showcase their skills and brew coffeefor the public. Contenders include Joe Coffee Company, Bolt Coffee, Café Integral, Elixr Coffee, Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters, Brooklyn Roasting Company, and more. Adding to the excitement are sponsors Armenia, Compak, Battenkill, Sanremo, Eight Ounce, and Acme & Co.   Other exciting features this weekend include The Lab program with an exciting line-up of interactive demonstrations such as “Baristastainability” and “Spice Cupping With Dona,” educational workshops, talks and tastings, the CoffeeMusic Project, and the Coffee Art Project, as well as The Kitchen, The Cold Brew Cocktail Bar, The Village, Latte Art Live, The Chocolate Factory, The Movie Room, and more.   This year’s event is also being held in conjunction with the New York’s Best Barista competition. The New York Coffee Festival is looking for a barista that is committed to excellence in coffee making and who goes above and beyond to make an impact in their community. New Yorkers were invited to vote for their local barista, and will find out the winner this weekend at The New York CoffeeFestival. The winning barista will receive a trip to The London Coffee Festivalwhere they will be able to make coffee with London’s top baristas.   In addition to offering delicious street food, coffee cocktails, live music and coffee-inspired art, 100% of profits are donated to Project Waterfall, partnering with NYC-based charity: water to deliver life-changing water projects in coffee-growing regions. Since 2011, Project Waterfall has raised over $1.5 million, bringing clean water to more than 50,000 people across seven countries. Find out more about Project Waterfall at projectwaterfall.org and charity: water at charitywater.org View Nippon Cha on Amazon