At 40, Taste of Glen Ellyn grows to showcase community
Not sensitive in the least about turning 40, the Taste of Glen Ellyn will enter its fifth decade with gusto this week when it opens for a four-day festival run in the village's downtown area.
As if to prove the festival can have fun at 40, a new Community Stage will debut this year as a complement to the Main Stage's performances.
But the star of the Taste of Glen Ellyn is the food, and some 16 restaurants will offer samples of their finest dishes from Thursday to Sunday, May 18 to 21.
"There'll be some local restaurants and some will have your usual carnival fare, such as funnel cakes and chocolate-covered cheesecake on a stick," said Dawn Smith, executive director of the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the festival.
Included in the mix will be a relatively new addition to the village's downtown restaurant scene, Bombay Joe's, an Indian gastro pub, Smith said.
Ellyn's Tap and Grill, an eatery that specializes in burgers and grill food, also will be among the gustatory choices, she said.
Smith said the festival may be called Taste of Glen Ellyn, but it's not exclusively about trying sweet and savory culinary concoctions.
"It's not just about food but (about) what Glen Ellyn has to offer in a broader sense," she said.
The new Community Stage will feature live performances by Spotlight Youth Theater, the Luis Arturo Dance Academy, the McNulty Irish Dancers, Alma Dance School, Front Street Dance and the Glen Crest Middle School Orchestra. Live instruction in Zumba exercise will be offered by the YMCA, Body and Brain will demonstrate Tai Chi and Yong in USA will show off students' martial arts expertise. The Bike Hub will stage bicycle stunts Saturday afternoon and Woof Beach will present dog tricks Sunday afternoon.
Thursday night is country night on the Main Stage with performances by Wild Daisy and Hillbilly Rockstarz. Rock takes over Friday night with shows from Chicago cover band LoveHouse and Hi Infidelity. Saturday and Sunday will feature performances by students from School of Rock. Saturday's headliner is 7th Heaven. And on Sunday, rhythm and bluesman Sam Savage will be followed by Elvis impersonator Rick Saucedo, Smith said.
About 50 crafters will sell handmade clothing, jewelry, toys and doll clothes at the Craft Show, which runs from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
"They'll also have some fine art," Smith said.
Twenty local businesses, many offering home improvement services, will participate in a Business Expo open 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Carnival rides and games will open Wednesday, May 17, a day earlier than the rest of Taste, in the Crescent/Glenwood parking lot. Smith said the carnival will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The B.R. Ryall YMCA is presenting the Y Run 5K, Super Kids 1K and Fun Run on Saturday morning through downtown. The races benefit the YMCA's scholarship fund, enabling families in need to access programming.
Festival admission is free, and Taste crowds may park for free in nearby commuter lots, Smith said.
Volunteer workers help run the festival and more volunteers are always needed, she said. Details about how to sign up to volunteer are available on the chamber's website.
The four-day celebration is popular with both local residents and visitors to the area, Smith said.
"Last year, 25,000 people came out over the whole weekend," she said.
If you go
If you go
What: Taste of Glen Ellyn
Where: Downtown Glen Ellyn
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 18; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 19; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 20; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 21; carnival open 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, May 17 to 19, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 20, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21
Admission: Free
Info: glenellynchamber.com