Three days of food, music and laughs
Posted: Jun 28, 2007 by Tony Engelhart
Eat, drink and be merry at the Emerald Queen Casino’s Taste of Tacoma. From June 29 through July 1, Point Defiance Park will play host to 28 restaurants serving everything from exotic ethnic dishes to all-American classics.
With all items less than $6, it is an affordable and fun way to sample the wide variety of cuisine. And with a Taste It! Discount Meal Ticket, you can save even more: 15 percent savings on food and beverages throughout the festival. In addition to the entrées, there will be treats from some of the region’s most popular eateries specializing in succulent desserts. Through Click! Cable TV and many other sponsors, the Taste is able to put on the three-day festival free of charge.
Now in its 22nd year, the Taste of Tacoma has evolved into the largest event of the summer season for the city, attracting more than 250,000 hungry mouths annually. Akin to the Bite of Seattle, the Taste is primarily a restaurant showcase, but each event has its own unique feel.
“We call the Taste of Tacoma the ‘Ultimate Family Picnic’ because there is that element of a summer picnic in the park that the community has really responded to,” says media director, Cindy Stohr, “Point Defiance is such a great place for families to come and get some food, grab a seat on the grass and watch the entertainment. With other attractions such as a carnival, amusement rides and music, we really feel that the event appeals to all ages and interests.
“We try to make sure every genre is represented, from pizza to Thai to Cajun, so there’s something for every consumer,” says Stohr, “We’ve found that some people want standard festival favorites while others want to try something new, and we strive to accommodate both.”
When it comes to entertainment for the annual event, the Taste leaves no stone unturned with more than 70 bands playing everything from country, jazz, rock, folk and everything in between, there is literally something for everyone. Featuring only regional acts, the Taste is dedicated to supporting local artists. But live music is only part of the entertainment featured as the Taste has also brought in some of the state’s most hilarious comedians to tickle your funny bone.
For wine aficionados, the Taste has you covered with Wine and Roses. The wine tasting will even feature more than 10 wineries from all over the country. For $15, you can enjoy five tastes of everything from Bordeaux and Chianti to Cabernet and Chardonnay.
[Point Defiance Park, June 29-30 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., July 1 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., admission free, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, www.tasteoftacoma.com]