Food, music and fun are part of 24th annual Taste of Antioch
The time has come for those who have been craving the Taste of Summer in Antioch.
Downtown Antioch hosts the 24th summer festival, which began Thursday and continues through Sunday.
Antioch Chamber of Commerce officials anticipate more than 30,000 guests to enjoy the variety the Taste offers.
The event features bands, food, a carnival, sidewalk sales, face painting and new attractions this year, including an interactive inflatable tent for all ages with a 26-foot oval track for six cars to race around.
Also new is the Princess Cabaret from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday. There will be a princess salon during the entertainment for guests to put on the glitz and glitter for free.
In honor of the Beatles' 50th anniversary, tribute band American English will perform on the Taste Headline stage from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.
During the concert, a mirror with the famous Abby Lane Beatles pose painted on it and American English signatures will be raffled off through the Charity Public Art Program.
This will be the art program's fifth year of involvement with the Taste, and the proceeds will go to the local food pantry, chamber officials said.
"It's going to be a very big deal," said Barbara Porch, executive director of the chamber.
During intermission, American English will be available for photos onstage in addition to a meet-and-greet after the show.
Also headlining this year are Suburban Cowboys from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday and Hi Infidelity from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday.
Taste-goers can also expect food from a variety of vendors, including Panda Express, Dairy Queen of Antioch, The Full Slab and Tres Flores Funnel Cakes.
"We offer a lot of free family fun," Porch said.
The Taste hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Parking at the Taste will not be available. Parking around Authentic Antioch is encouraged, according to the Chamber of Commerce website. Carnival wristbands are available for $20 for Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
For more information, call (847) 395-2233.