News

Roselle's Taste benefits entire community

Posted July 28, 2010 11:00 pm

By Elisabeth Mistretta

Ironically, the Taste of Roselle is a big part of what nourishes the village.

Of course it's an annual favorite for fest-goers from across the suburbs who visit for food, live music, a carnival and craft show.

But proceeds from the festival help purchase items that give Roselle its character and - for the first time this year - help save its traditions.

Since the Taste began almost 30 years ago, the fest's commission has donated more than $350,000 for projects like improvements to Depot Park and Miracle Field, and playground equipment for Roselle Elementary District 12 schools.

The original goal, said commission member Linda McDermott, was to contribute lasting items to the village.

But last fall the commission used the proceeds for something a little more flashy: Roselle's 2010 Fourth of July fireworks. As the recession threatened to eliminate fireworks funding as it did in nearby villages this year, the Taste saved the day.

"It is such a community event that benefits so many people, they really wanted to fund that even though it went against the idea of funding something more permanent," McDermott said. "Ultimately the policy is to put the money back into the community, and it was a unanimous vote."

This year's Taste of Roselle will help continue that tradition of investing in the village, as it raises money by bringing back perennial favorites like bingo, a craft fair with vendors from throughout the country, children's activities and music by local bands.

Taste commission member Cindy Schramm said the fest has even grown a bit this year, with three new vendors who joined as other summer events were canceled. The new eateries are Gelati di Roma, The Creperie Normande and Chicago Prime Market.

In addition to the food, music and games, other Roselle organizations join in to offer other activities throughout the weekend.

The Roselle Police Department will host a Special Olympics booth at Main and Prospect Streets to sell shirts, hats and raffle tickets that support the nonprofit group. The department also will offer free child safety seat inspections on Sunday at the department (walk-ins welcome) and will sponsor an Illinois State Police Rollover Simulator.

On Saturday, the Roselle Lions Club will sponsor free hearing screenings, while the Roselle Public Library will host a book sale throughout the weekend.

Ultimately, Schramm said, the Taste of Roselle draws all facets of the community and even serves as an informal gathering for old classmates and friends.

"I think its kind of a mini-reunion for local schools and Lake Park (High School)," she said. "For some, it's just a nice place to see and be seen, and sometimes it's cool because you see people whose parents have been involved with planning the fest and suddenly they start joining in, too."

ScheduleThe 29th annual Taste of Roselle runs 6 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, July 30; 6 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, on Main and Prospect streets, downtown Roselle. Includes food vendors, craft fair, local bands and entertainment, bingo and children's carnival. Free admission and parking, available at the commuter train station's Maple Avenue lot and at the American Legion, 344 E. Maple Ave. Handicapped parking is at Printing Plus on Irving Park Road and Park Street. For details, visit roselle.il.us.FRIDAY6 p.m. Big Ned Electra 225 perform6-10:30 p.m. Craft fair6-11 p.m. Bingo8 p.m. Instant Recall (classic rock)9:30 p.m. Broken Hip (modern rock)SATURDAY11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Craft fairNoon-7 p.m. Hearing screenings offered by the Roselle Lions Club12:30 p.m. Roselle's Finest Musicians I (acoustic variety); Katie Josie; Kyle Tasch1:30-3 p.m. Children's bingo2 p.m. McMillen Co. (folk music)3-11 p.m. Bingo3:30 p.m. Menix5 p.m. Pitchy The 44's5:30 p.m. Mr. D's Magic Show for children6:30 p.m. Classic Addiction (classic rock)8 p.m. Chunkey Monkey ('50s, '60s and '70s music)9:30 p.m. Stormcrow (classic rock and country)SUNDAY11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Craft fairNoon Christian Tabernacle Church Choir performs Gospel musicNoon-3 p.m. Child safety seat checks at the Roselle Police Department, 103. S. Prospect St.1 p.m. Roselle's Finest Musicians II1:30-3 p.m. Children's bingo2:30 p.m. Belly Dancers of the Mystic Rose3-9 p.m. Bingo4 p.m. Camouflage Sun Rock5:30 p.m. Tony Spavone (standards)5:30 p.m. Mr. D's Magic Show for children7 p.m. Mojo Skillet with Jim BartholomewTaste of Roselle vendorsSince this is the Taste of Roselle (the key word being 'taste,' after all), several area eateries will offer their top crowd-pleasing dishes. So eat how you want: alphabetically, appetizers to desserts, by food ethnicity, or just whatever strikes your fancy. To help you plan you're culinary journey, here's a complete list of vendors scheduled to be on site:bull; American Legion: Ice creambull; Antoma's: Cannoli, deep fried Twinkiesbull; Chicago Classics: Corn dogs, steak tacosbull; Chicago Prime Market: Prime steak sandwichbull; Dippin' Dots: Dippin' Dots ice creambull; Genoa Italian Concession: Grilled Italian sausage, Italian beefbull; Gelato d' Roma: Italian gelatobull; Italian Pizza Kitchen: Pizzabull; Lee's Concession: Egg rolls, grilled chicken on a stickbull; Mylos Greek Food: Gyros, shish-ka-bob with ricebull; Old Neighborhood Hot Dogs: Hot dogsbull; Pina's Culinary Experience: Stuffed meatballs, pulled porkbull; R S Concessions: Little Jimmie's Italian icebull; S L Catering: Lemon shake upsbull; Sergio Sea Food: Baked clams, smelt, oysters Rockefellerbull; Silver Lake Restaurant: Crab Rangoon, empress chickenbull; Sister Cities: Sweet cornbull; Slinky's Great American Food: Barbecue rib patty, corn on the cobbull; Suzie's Funnel Cakes: Funnel cakes, Texas burgerbull; The Creperie Normande: Sugar crepes, strawberry crepes with jambull; Tony Gia's Pizzeria: Cheese, sausage and pepperoni pizzaTrue13252000More than 20 area vendors will sell specialty foods at the Taste of Roselle this Friday through SundayDaily Herald file PhotoTrue  Taste of RoselleThe 29th annual Taste of Roselle runs 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 30; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 31; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, on Main and Prospect streets, downtown Roselle. Includes food vendors, craft fair, local bands and entertainment, bingo and children's carnival. Free admission and parking, available at the commuter train station's Maple Avenue lot and at the American Legion, 344 E. Maple Ave. Handicapped parking is at Printing Plus on Irving Park Road and Park Street. For details, visit <a href="http://roselle.il.us" target="new">roselle.il.us</a>.FRIDAY6 p.m. Big Ned & Electra 225 perform6-10:30 p.m. Craft fair6-11 p.m. Bingo7:30 p.m. Instant Recall (classic rock)9:30 p.m. Broken Hip (modern rock)SATURDAY11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Craft fairNoon-7 p.m. Hearing screenings offered by the Roselle Lions ClubNoon Roselle's Finest Musicians I (acoustic variety); Katie & Josie; Kyle Tasch1:30-3 p.m. Children's bingo2 p.m. McMillen & Co. (folk music)3-11 p.m. Bingo3:30 p.m. Menix5 p.m. Pitchy & The 44's5:30 p.m. Mr. D's Magic Show for children6:30 p.m. Camouflage Sun8 p.m. Chunkey Monkey ('50s, '60s and '70s music)9 p.m. Stormcrow (classic rock and country)SUNDAY11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Craft fairNoon Christian Tabernacle Church Choir performs gospel musicNoon-3 p.m. Child safety seat checks at the Roselle Police Department, 103. S. Prospect St.1 p.m. Whitey O'Day1:30-3 p.m. Children's bingo2:30 p.m. Belly Dancers of the Warda3-9 p.m. Bingo4 p.m. Woogie5:30 p.m. Tony Spavone (standards)5:30 p.m. Mr. D's Magic Show for children7 p.m. Classic Addiction

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