Hot weather doesn't turn crowds away from Taste of Arlington Heights
The hot and humid weather Saturday didn't deter Bryant Anderson from manning the grill at the Taste of Arlington Heights.
Anderson, chef at Rack House Kitchen & Tavern, was slinging pulled pork tacos and putting together barbecue nachos, complete with kettle chips, pulled pork, scallions and sour cream. He's used to cooking under especially sunny skies at about a dozen summer festivals in the suburbs every year. And Frontier Days about a month ago - when temperatures neared triple digits - was good training.
"Some festivals are hotter than others," Anderson said. "Today's gonna be a good one."
The Rack House was one of 26 restaurants at this year's Taste - six more than last year. The fest that started in 2010, along with the Friday night Mane Event that began a decade earlier, attracts thousands annually to what's become a two-day downtown summer block party.
"We continue to offer more for people to enjoy," said Jon Ridler, executive director of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, who reported some of the biggest crowds ever this weekend.