A full range of flavors at Lincolnshire fest
Arrive starting Friday at Lincolnshire's Village Green with an empty stomach as 17 restaurants, including two new participants, kick off the annual Taste of Lincolnshire.
"We're really excited to see Kona Grill and Fleming's have decided to join the fest," said Lenna Scott, executive director of the Greater Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce. "They are Lincolnshire favorites."
The three-day event will run 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Village Green of Lincolnshire on the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Olde Half Day Road.
Kona Grill will offer sushi, chicken satay, oriental salad and burger sliders; Fleming's will offer sliced tenderloin, Fleming's potatoes, as well as the red and white wines the restaurant is known for, Scott said.
Returning to the Taste will be Philly G's, serving goat cheese pesto bruschetta with smoked salmon, sausage and peppers and cannolis.
Planning her first taste since joining the chamber last December, Scott said the event showcases traditional festival food, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork and gyros. But visitors also can try something more upscale, such as rack of lamb and citrus grilled shrimp from the King's Wharf.
"Lincolnshire restaurants represent a full spectrum of dining appetites from a more fast food option to fine dining," she said. "The purpose of the Taste of Lincolnshire is to showcase everything Lincolnshire has to offer."
Each ticket costs $1. Prices range from $2 for a taste portion. The highest item, excluding alcohol, is $6.
Tickets can be purchased in advance starting today at the chamber office, Bank Financial on Milwaukee Avenue and Lincolnshire Cruises and Tours in the Village Green of Lincolnshire. If purchased in advance, get 11 tickets for $10.
The taste not only showcases local restaurants fare, but also local musicians. Budding stars can showcase their talent backed up by a live band during the live band karaoke from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday.
"Some future stars hidden in the community may come out and join us on stage," Scott said.
Starting Saturday's music lineup will be the Big Band Sound of Deerfield from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by Salt and Silver from 6 to 8 p.m. Ending the night is local band, the Class of '68 from 8 to 10 p.m.
On Sunday, come hear local musicians, the Fire Ants from noon to 1 p.m., and Bob Gand Smooth Jazz from 2 to 4 p.m. From 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Soul 2 Sole Dance, award-winning area youth dance teams will perform.
Among other activities, test entertainment and trivia knowledge from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday and a chance to win prizes from Regal Cinemas and other Lincolnshire businesses.
Pets will be the featured attractions from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. Enter your pet in one of four contests that will run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The categories include Mr. or Mrs. congeniality, coolest pet trick, most creative costume and best owner and pet look-alike. There also will be a pet expo featuring information from shelters, rescue organizations and businesses offering services and products for pets.
Taste of Lincolnshire
When: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Village Green of Lincolnshire at corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Olde Half Day Road
Featured: Flatlander's, Maggie Moo's Ice Cream and Treatery, Bob Chinn's Crab House, Jamba Juice, King's Wharf, Salt N' Pepper Chefs, Grillworks, BoBo's Gyros, Cubby Bear, El Barrio, Kona Grills, Fleming's Prime Steak House, The Prairie House, Philly G's, Brother's BBQ and Sedgebrook.