Lincolnshire bids farewell to summer with its Taste
The Taste of Lincolnshire returns this weekend, but to a new location and with some new features. Judy Scalzitti, executive director of the Greater Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, tells us what you need to know.
Q. What makes this such a fabulous event?
A. The Taste of Lincolnshire is a great community event featuring restaurants and businesses from the Lincolnshire area. Guests at the Taste of Lincolnshire can experience various cuisines from the restaurants and will be entertained by some great performers and bands. The Taste of Lincolnshire is brought to the community by the Greater Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Village of Lincolnshire. It truly is a great community event!
Q. How long has this event been in existence? How has it changed, and what is new this year?
A. This is the eighth Taste of Lincolnshire. The Taste has grown over the years to include more restaurants and businesses. This year, the Taste is in a new location, Lincolnshire Commons, and is being held on a new weekend - Aug. 28-30.
Also new this year is the Lincolnshire Idol contest. Sponsored by 2BU Studios and A-Z Entertainment, the Lincolnshire Idol contest gives anyone interested in participating the opportunity to perform on the Taste stage and show the community of Lincolnshire their talent! There is no registration fee and all participants will received an award. Judges for the contest will be Gerry Peters, Adlai Stevenson High School music director; Sherrie Gearheart, Miss Northern Suburbs 2009; Gwen Hardy, Miss Northern Suburbs Outstanding Teen 2009; and a representative from Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Lincolnshire. The Lincolnshire Idol event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29, starting at 11 a.m. Advanced registration is required. Call Cathy Wolfson at (847) 276-2566.
Q. What's the highlight of the event?
A. There isn't one specific part of the Taste of Lincolnshire that is the highlight. The whole event is something not to be missed!
Q. What kind of activities will appeal to kids and families?
A. Families and kids will enjoy the Pet Parade and Fiesta on Saturday morning starting at 10 a.m. Pets of all kinds can register to participate in the parade and win prizes in several different categories. Immediately following the Pet Parade, pet owners and guests can visit various pet-related businesses at the Pet Fiesta.
The Lincolnshire Idol is another great event for families and kids. Listen to your friends perform, or register to perform yourself!
On Saturday, starting at 3 p.m., children can enjoy a performance by The Magic Hand Puppet Theatre, sponsored by the Lincolnshire Animal Hospital.
There will be kids games, sponsored by Stevenson High School Community Foundation, and special activities at two Chamber of Commerce members' booths, the Wealshire/Ponds and Sunshine Crafts. Amazing Josh will be making balloon creations for children and adults during the Taste.
Q. What about adults? What does the event offer them?
A. Adults will enjoy the wide variety of cuisine at the restaurant booths, the amazing lineup of great performers and bands, beverages of all kinds, and visiting the many business booths of various Chamber of Commerce member businesses.
Q. What kinds of food and beverages will be for sale?
A. Roasted corn, pizza, Italian sausage sandwiches, rosemary and garlic lamb chops, falafel, prime beef kebabs, crab cakes, ice cream, burgers, steak sandwiches, sushi, BBQ sandwiches, quesadillas, burritos and much more! Beverages available will include a wide variety of soda, lemonades, bottled water, mai tais, draft and bottled beer, wine, and vodka lemonade.
Q. Tell us about the volunteers and organizers who pull this together.
A. The Taste of Lincolnshire is planned and staffed by volunteers from the Greater Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce membership. Lots of hours of planning goes into such a big event and it truly is a collaborative effort of many volunteers from throughout the Lincolnshire business community.
Q. Is there anything else we should know?
A. The Taste of Lincolnshire should not be missed! Wrap up your summer with a visit to the Taste of Lincolnshire! See you there!
<p class="factboxheadblack">Taste of Lincolnshire</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30.</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Lincolnshire Commons, Milwaukee Avenue and Aptakisic Road. </p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> No admission fee. All food and beverages at the Taste of Lincolnshire are purchased with tickets. Guests of the Taste can purchase tickets for $1 each. </p> <p class="News"><b>More info:</b> Call the Greater Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce at (847) 793-2409 or visit <a href="http://lincolnshirechamber.org" target="new">lincolnshirechamber.org</a>. </p>