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• The Return of the Taste

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Taste of Champaign-Urbana »

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• West Side Park »
  400 W. University Ave. Champaign, IL 61820
  (Show on map)

On June 20 the 38th Taste of Champaign will spice things up a bit with some exciting additions. This year, event organizers want to raise $10,000 for the Champaign Park District Youth Scholarship Fund, and they need the community to eat their way to the goal.

Festival organizers want to support a great cause for children and the environment, according to Special Events Coordinator Katie Flint. She says the Taste of Champaign will be making an extra effort to be green: “There will be more recycling bins, and if you ride your bike and make it to the bike corral, you will get a free beverage from Pepsi.”

Familiar faces such as Zorba’s, Pasha Mediterranean Cuisine and Curtis Apple Orchard will make their way back to the Taste. In addition to the regulars, there are some new kids on the block such as McAllister’s Deli, Rosati’s, and Mezzaluna.

Pasha Mediterranean Cuisine will be participating in the taste for their second year. Owner Colleen Hatton is excited to come back. “For us, being so new in town, people don’t know who we are yet, so this is the perfect way to let people try our food,” she said.

In preparation for a hungry crowd, the taste has made it easier to purchase tickets. This year there will be two ticket booths to cut back on long lines, and tickets can be purchased in booklets for $5.

Another great feature to the Taste of Champaign is a fourth stage for entertainment. “The Bohms stage will have a survivor game show, magic show and variety show,” Flint said.

The perfect side to complement your entertainment entrée would be nothing better than live music. The Taste will have a buffet of music from jazz and swing to reggae and blues. Bands such as Back Yard Fire, Hurricane Gumbo, and Boat Drunks will be performing — just to name a few.

For dessert, stop by one of the many art booths — arts and crafts, jewelry making, ceramics, woodwork, fiber art and photography will all be featured. “There will be six demonstrating artists who will be practicing their artwork live,” Flint said.

The Taste of Champaign offers a chance to indulge in great food and entertainment for a great cause — bike on by.