Taste of Des Plaines to kick off Friday for three days of fun
This year's Taste of Des Plaines opens and closes with bands playing Beatles tunes and in between, fest-goers can enjoy the new and regular food offerings, an art fair, 5K walk/run, a chamber expo and the popular "pies on the porch" event.
The eighth annual Taste of Des Plaines opens Friday and continues through Sunday downtown along Ellinwood Avenue.
Getting the town's various civic communities together has helped fuel the success of the event, Taste of Des Plaines chair Linda Forman said.
"I think it's a mixture in everybody in the city comes together and works together on this," Forman said.
Besides food, music entertainment, children's activities, the event will once again feature Des Plaines Art Guild's 55th Annual Art Fair, the Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Home, Health and Consumer Expo and the Des Plaines Park District's Chase to the Taste. Hours will be 6-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.
New additions will join the regulars as far as food offerings. Depot, Elliott's off-Broadway Deli, Dick's River Road House, Chef of Siam, Completely Nuts, Inc., Capannari Ice Cream, Strawberry Patch, Kaffecino, Allegretti's, Fiesta del Sol Express, and Tasty Vending will be serving fare.
For dessert, check out Pies on the Porch at the Des Plaines Historical Society's 1907 Kinder Home, 789 Pearson St., located right on the Taste grounds.
The entertainment will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday with the opening band, The Safes. They play rock 'n' roll, ranging from the Beatles to the Raconteurs. Following their performance, the popular band Mike and Joe will take the stage at 8 p.m., playing a mix of modern rock covers and original songs.
On Saturday, the day will start with the Chase to the Taste at 8 a.m., with state Rep. Elaine Nekritz leading the pack of runners this year. Sponsored by the park district, participants can either walk or run in the 5K. It starts at 762 Pearson St. Registration forms are available at all park district facilities and at www.desplainesparks.org. The entry fee is $30. Proceeds will benefit the Des Plaines Park District Scholarship fund.
Other Taste events will start at 11 a.m., with a stilt walker and clown entertaining children at noon Saturday. Then, the Galina Dance Studio will perform at 1 p.m., followed by the Barefoot Hawaiians at 2 p.m.
"It's a family-oriented event. There's something there for everyone," Forman said.
A new entertainment recruit this year is Voice of Veterans, a musical group of Vietnam veterans which will perform at 3:30 p.m.
Woogie, which plays current pop, hits the stage at 5 p.m. Saturday. Classic rock band Hi-Infidelity will perform from 8-11 p.m.
On Sunday, a magician joins the lineup with Jeff Bilik keeping everyone guessing at noon, followed by encore performances by the Galina dancers at 1 p.m. and the Barefoot Hawaiians at 2 p.m. Comedian Ken Sevara will do his stand-up routine at 3 p.m.
BritBeat will close the festival by playing Beatles tunes from 5-7 p.m. Sunday.
Taste of Des Plaines
The three-day event runs Friday-Sunday along Ellinwood Avenue in downtown Des Plaines. Call (847) 391-5300 or visit www.desplaines.org
FRIDAY
6 p.m.-11 p.m. Taste hours
6 p.m. The Safes, Beatles and other oldies
8 p.m. Mike and Joe, modern rock covers
SATURDAY
11 a.m.-11 p.m. Taste hours
8 a.m. Chase to the Taste
Noon Ken Schultz, stilt walker and clown
1 p.m. Galina Dance Studio
2 p.m. Barefoot Hawaiians
3:30 p.m. Voice of Veterans, group of Vietnam veterans play music
5 p.m. Woogie, current pop
8-11 p.m. Hi-Infidelity, classic rock
SUNDAY
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Taste hours
Noon Jeff Bilik, magician
1 p.m. Galina Dance Studio
2 p.m. Barefoot Hawaiians
3 p.m. Ken Sevara, comedian
5-7 p.m. BritBeat, Beatles covers