Food, drink the stars of Lake Zurich's annual 'Taste of the Towns' at Paulus Park

The opportunity to sample signature or new food and beverage items from local gourmet vendors drew crowds to Paulus Park in Lake Zurich on Sunday for the eighth-annual Taste of the Towns.

Sponsored by the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, the free event also featured also musical, live entertainment and family activities, such as a climbing wall and arts and crafts.

But the real focus of the day was gastronomical, with visitors able to taste food and drink selections from 20 different vendors.

"I'm really happy about it this year because we have a little bit of everything from pizza for kids, sliders from a new restaurant called Bobbers and finer foods from Biaggi's," said chamber Executive Director Dale Perrin.

With tasting menus in hand, attendees moved from booth to booth receiving one "taste" of food or beverage from every vendor.

"This is super cool. We are thoroughly enjoying the peach sangria's from Biaggi's," said Lake Zurich resident Gloria Beck.

Proceeds from the event help fund programs and services provided by the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, such as the Young Entrepreneurs Academy.