After wet beginning, crowds flock to Taste of Wheaton

Things looked grim for the Taste of Wheaton when a morning deluge soaked the area on Saturday, but by early afternoon the rain had stopped, the sun peeked through and people were all smiles.

"We almost didn't come when we looked outside earlier," said resident Ron Williamson, who brought his three children. "I'm glad we made it, though. The weather's looking pretty good and the kids love it."

The Taste of Wheaton, which got under way on Wednesday, offered a full slate of activities on Saturday - live music, food from local vendors, a craft fair, a carnival and more. Organizers from the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce and the Wheaton Park District said the five-day event could draw as many as 20,000 to downtown Wheaton.

The Taste of Wheaton continues from 1 to 8 p.m. today with the carnival along Liberty Street.

Steven Ryan of Naperville met some friends at the fest, where he chomped down on the sirloin sliders offered by the Arrowhead Restaurant.

"It's turning out to be a nice day, so we'll probably eat a little, drink a little, maybe listen to some music," Ryan said. "I like coming out to these types of things."

Josephine Coletti of Elgin was one of the craft vendors. Her business, the Baggo Lady, makes and sells bean bags for use in beanbag games. Most of the ones she makes feature the colors and logos of college and professional sports teams.

"There's been a nice flow of people so far, with the rain being the only really bad time," Coletti said.

Deborah McCarthy said the carnival was the big draw for her two boys. She stood and watched while they took a turn on a ride called the Sizzler.

"It's almost a rule in our house - we have to get to at least one carnival in the summertime," she said with a laugh.

For festival weather updates, go to wheatonchamber.com.