Taste of Wheaton opens four-day downtown run

Hundreds of people came out early Thursday to enjoy the carnival rides, beer garden and food from local vendors as Taste of Wheaton opened its four-day run in the city's downtown.

Hello Nuvo and Planet Groove provided live music in the Memorial Park Bandshell, where bands will be performing all weekend.

Activities will ramp up Friday with the opening of the arts and craft fair on Karlskoga Avenue and food vendor row in Memorial Park. Hale Street will be lined with collector cars for the Downtown Wheaton Association's weekly Vintage Rides event from 6 to 9 p.m. and Boy Band Night will play until 10 p.m.

Saturday is set to be the festival's biggest day, starting with the Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals 5K/10K in Memorial Park at 7:30 a.m. Registration will be from 6 to 7:15 a.m. on race day and costs $40 per person.

In addition, kids activities such as face painting, balloon artists, airbrush tattoos and tie-dye will be set up along Hale Street and Whiskey Romance, Dick Diamond and the Dusters, Centerfold, Hi-Infidelity and DJs will keep music flowing from the park all day.

The festival will close Sunday with final music performances from three bands, more kids' activities and food and carnival rides that are open until 8 p.m. For a full schedule, visit wheatonparkdistrict.com.