Taste of Wheaton draws crowd after morning races

The Taste of Wheaton got an early start Saturday morning as runners converged on the festival’s shady grounds after a charity race.

About 2,500 runners in the 30th annual Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals 5K and 10K finished their courses and found themselves in downtown Wheaton’s Memorial Park as early as 8 a.m.

Children, like 8-year-old Angie Galo competing in the Zippity Zoo half-mile run, made it to the park about 9 a.m.

And by then, food vendors were cooking homemade chips, cheese fries and Italian ices, business booths and craft tables were set up and staffed, and the Taste of Wheaton’s third day was in full swing.

The Galo family of Wheaton planned on spending some time at the taste for the second day in a row, Angie’s dad, Chris, said after the race. Angie said she likes all the rides and games at the festival, set up in a carnival on Liberty Street just south of the railroad tracks.

The early summer community event has been a tradition for the family for several years — even when it went by a different name.

“I still call it the ‘Cream of Wheaton,’” Angie’s mom Diane Galo said. “A lot of us still do.”

Another athletic Wheaton family with four runners — Steve Mayer and his sons Henry, Danny and Billy — cooled off in the shade of the taste’s grounds, listening to the award ceremony for the 5K and 10K runs.

At 9 years old, race organizers told Danny he was the youngest 10K finisher. Mayer and 11-year-old Billy also ran the 10K, while 7-year-old Henry finished the 5K.

“Pretty much I come for the run,” Mayer said.

As Wheaton residents, Mayer said he and his family can eat at the local food vendors such as Cellar Bistro, Skylight Bakery Cafe and Lombardi’s Famous Beef anytime, but they enjoy the festival atmosphere.

Saturday was the last day for the food vendors, beer garden, art and craft fair, business expo and family entertainment. The Taste of Wheaton’s carnival continues from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday.