Four days of music and fun at annual Taste of Westmont July 13-16
The 2023 Taste of Westmont features four days of local restaurant food vendors, two stages for live music, an all-ages carnival, crafters, vendors, and more.
"The Taste of Westmont is one of Westmont's wonderful summer events and we invite everyone to come to downtown Westmont July 13-16 to enjoy this festival that offers something for everyone," said Steve Golembiewski, president of Westmont Special Events Corporation. "Our volunteers work hard to put together an exciting entertainment schedule and we think we have another winning lineup."
Last year, the Taste of Westmont had over 100 local musicians perform on the south stage, which is dedicated to both local and original music.
The south stage and beer tent, located near the intersection of Irving Street and Cass Avenue, provides an opportunity for musicians of all ages and ability and also serves as a steppingstone for artists who are hoping to perform on the Taste of Westmont main stage.
Four musical acts that performed on the south stage last year will be featured in "15 Minutes of Fame," a music showcase supporting local original music, on the main stage this year, including Haley Grimm at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Shukin and the Ramblers at 4 p.m. Saturday, Connie Sipher & Michael McInerny at 7:45 p.m. Saturday, and Emily Cooper at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
On Thursday night, only the south stage beer tent and carnival will be open from 5 to 9:30 p.m. The all-ages carnival offers wristband specials scheduled throughout the weekend. Note: The main stage and main food court opens on Friday.
The south stage on Thursday will open with Joe Leja at 5 p.m., followed by Kent Slayton at 5:30 p.m., Josette Kacey & Ru at 6 p.m. and M Low at 6:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., Jones of Art will perform followed by Sydney Hamer at 7:30 p.m., Connie Cipher with Michael McInerney at 8 p.m., and Clark Carlos & Friends at 8:30 p.m.
The festival continues from 4 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
On Friday, the main stage at 246 N. Cass Ave. will open with the Tom Petty tribute band The Heartwreckers at 6 p.m., followed by the Eagles tribute band One of These Nights at 8:30 p.m.
The south stage opens at 4 p.m. with Trish Kinnave & The Short Sweet Set, Jon Bruce at 4:30 p.m., AJ Cagcalno at 5 p.m., Tony Cruz at 5:30 p.m., Mister Rees & BCA at 6 p.m., The Neighborhood at 6:30 p.m., Gia & Mac at 7:30 p.m., and Whiskey Hill Band at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, the main stage opens with Shukin & The Ramblers performing local Roots rock and more at 4 p.m. It will be followed by Anchors Away performing yacht rock and oldies singalong classics at 6 p.m. The headliner at 8:30 p.m. will be Greggie & The Jets, a national touring Elton John tribute show.
Starting at noon Saturday, the Westmont Public Library and Westmont Park District will be offering promotions and activities. Uncle Jon's Music Student Showcase will open the south stage at noon, followed at 1 p.m. by Uncle Jon's Music Uke Circle. It will be followed by Lulu Fuller at 2 p.m., Just Jimmy at 2:30 p.m., Steven Bard at 3 p.m., NEO at 3:30 p.m., Little Wing Symphony at 4 p.m., Westmont Fusion Project at 4:30 p.m., Jamey McLaren at 5 p.m., Darryl Holloman at 5:30 p.m., Adam Kukielski at 6 p.m., Haley Grimm at 6:30 p.m., and Sticky Gumbo at 7 p.m. The Ray Boyd Band will close out the south stage at 8 p.m.
On Sunday, the main stage opens with the Hinsdale Music Studio Showcase at noon.
It will be followed by the Muddy Waters Blues Jam & Tribute from 1 to 4 p.m. Blues music lovers of all ages and abilities are invited to sign up at westmontevents.com/muddy-waters to join this annual event showcasing the blues and music legend Muddy Waters. Westmont was home to the blues legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee from 1973 until he passed in 1983. Blues greats show up every year. Past artists have included: Koko Taylor, Pinetop Perkins, Willie Smith, Bob Stroger, Linsey Alexander, Mike Wheeler, Pistol Pete, Dee Dee Alexander, Eddie Taylor Jr., Mojo Morganfield, EG McDaniel, Larry Williams, Toronzo Cannon, Shirley Lewis, Barrelhouse Chuck, Ricker Kreher, John Primer, and more.
Mike Wheeler Blues Band & Friends will perform at 4 p.m. The headliner, Infinity, will close out the festival at 6 p.m. with music from Journey and others.
The south stage musical showcase closes out on Sunday, starting with Renew Sound at noon, Aaron Williams at 1 p.m., Hinsdale Music Studio Showcase at 1:30 p.m., Vutzy at 2:30 p.m., Hannah Delilah at 3 p.m., Bandana Brad at 3:30 p.m., Sonny & The Eggrolls at 4 p.m., and Molten Brass at 5 p.m. Westmont's Die Kellerknaben Polka Band will wrap up the four-day festival, playing traditional polkas, waltzes, singalongs and more at 6 p.m.
Alpine Amusements will once again provide carnival attractions for kids of all ages. There will be various wristband specials throughout the event. The carnival will be open during event hours. The specials are: 5 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday and 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday for $25; and noon to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday for $30.
The craft show is open from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Westmont Special Events Corporation is the independent, volunteer-based, nonprofit behind the planning and execution of Taste of Westmont, Westmont Cruisin' Nights, Creative Arts Network, and numerous other community events. There are still spots for volunteers to sign up and help with the Taste of Westmont. "We are so thankful and appreciative of the hundreds of volunteers who sign up and help out with the Taste of Westmont," said Kristina Kaniauskaite, executive director. "We hope that volunteers can sign up for a shift or two to support our work of continuing community events and recreation." Volunteers can sign up at westmontevents.com/taste-of-westmont.
Golembiewski added, "I want to thank all of our sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and community partners including the Village of Westmont for all their support in making this event a reality."
Complete information regarding directions to the event as well as destination within the event can be found on the Westmont Special Events website.
During the Taste of Westmont, Cass Avenue will be closed from Burlington Avenue to Naperville Road. There will be detours in place to direct traffic. Parking is available in public parking lots as well as residential side streets. Handicapped parking is available near the Bank of America property at Linden and Norfolk. Please be patient and drive safely while visiting the Taste of Westmont. For everybody's safety, pets are not allowed at this event. For additional information, visit westmontevents.com/taste-of-westmont, email wsec@westmontevents.com, or call (630) 829-9378.