Taste of Roselle is all about food and friends

If you wander through downtown Roselle this weekend and don't run into any familiar faces, there's always the food and live entertainment to fall back on.

The 31st annual Taste of Roselle runs Friday through Sunday, Aug. 3-5, on Main Street between Roselle Road and Howard Street.

The fest offers tasty treats from 24 local vendors, a carnival, a craft fair, bingo and live local performers. And for many people, it also offers a great setting to run into an old friend or two.

“In some ways it's a mini-reunion for people,” said Cindy Schramm, of Roselle, a member of the Taste of Roselle Commission, and a past chairwoman of the committee. “They all like to meander up there just to see who they can run into. It's just a nice day out. We have entertainment going all day long and a carnival.”

If you ask the fest's publicity chairwoman, Kathie Fitzpatrick, the Taste isn't the Taste without a stuffed meatball from Pina's Culinary Experience.

“Or the ribs are a big thing. Or anything on a stick. Or there's the burgers and fries. Or there's gourmet steak burgers and steak sandwiches from Chicago Prime,” Fitzpatrick said. “Whatever your palate is in the mood for, you can probably find it on Main Street.”

Among the participating vendors: Chicago Prime, Sweet Baby Rays, Impecca Restaurant, Panchos Mexican Food, Mylo Greek Food, Suzie's Funnel Cakes, Silver Lake Chinese Restaurant, Dippin' Dots and Jamba Juice.

In addition to the food, there will be 50 craft vendors, a bags tournament and jousting for teens.

The Taste of Roselle is one of few suburban events not affected by the economy. While other communities have eliminated or downsized town festivals, the Taste of Roselle has continued on as usual — thanks to low overhead and many, many volunteers including the Taste of Roselle Commission members and even the musicians who all perform for free.

“We have a lot of great talented bands. We always have to turn people away because they all want to be a part of the Taste of Roselle,” Schramm said. “It's kind of an honor. It's pretty cool.”

On Friday, beginning at 6:30 p.m., visitors can listen to bands Classic Addiction, Pitchy & the 44s, and Ovrevolt.

Saturday's lineup starts at noon and includes Roselle's Finest Musicians; Tom and Beth; Katie and Josie; Hannah Menich; Andrew and Shelby; Jim Bartholomew and Friends; TERATA; Camouflage Sun; and Chunkey Monkey.

Sunday's entertainment begins at 1 p.m. with Whitey O'Day and also includes Living Out Loud, Big Ned and Electra 225, Tony Spavone and Storm Crow.

Also on Sunday, several not-for-profit groups gather at Prospect and Main streets to give out information on their services, including a handful of churches and organizations such as the League of Women Voters and the Roselle Park District.

“People can get to know what churches are in the area and get to know their organizations,” Fitzpatrick said.

The fest has more than survived the economy — it's stepped up to help by using proceeds to pay for the July 4 fireworks when the village budget became too tight. In all, proceeds from the Taste of Roselle have topped more than $300,000 and go to benefit a variety of community projects including the Gazebo at Turner's Pond, the Water Works Park, park district picnic tables and various park improvements.

“We've found that if it's not broke don't fix it, and it seems to be that it ends up being like a Roselle big block party,” Fitzpatrick said. “Maybe you haven't seen someone for a whole year and then you see them on Main street.”

And if not, well, you'll find something to do.

Taste hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Downtown Roselle is one block south of Irving Park Road and one block east of Roselle Road.

Free parking is available at the Roselle Metra Station Maple lot and the Maple Avenue commuter lot. Handicap accessible parking is located in the Printing Plus parking lot, 201 E. Irving Park Road.

There's no admission to the fest. Food is purchased at each vendor and beer tickets can be purchased on site.

For details, call (630) 980-2000 or visit roselle.il.us.

If you go

What: Taste of Roselle

When: Friday, Aug. 3, through Sunday, Aug. 5

Where: On Main Street between Roselle Road and Howard Street

Cost: No admission, fee for food and some activities

Info: (630) 980-2000 or roselle.il.us