More than 130 total vendors – including between 30 and 40 food vendors – are expected at this year’s Taste of UA, from 3:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at Northam Park.
“The event gets bigger and better every year,” says Charlie Groezinger, owner of SGO Designer Glass, who is in his sixth year as chairman of the Upper Arlington Chamber of Commerce event.
Among the offerings new at this year’s Taste is an invitation-only event scheduled for the evening of Aug. 6. Music will be provided by the Upper Arlington High School Orchestra.
At the main event the following day, Taste of UA attendees can visit vendors participating in the second annual Premier Path, have the chance to win an overnight stay in downtown Columbus, free tickets to a Buckeye football game, or an all-inclusive trip.
Yard Solutions is sponsoring the beer garden again this year, and organizers plan to expand the space within Northam Park near the chamber tent to accommodate event-goers.
The chamber is seeking a music sponsor for the event. Entertainment include
s blues rock band Mr. Lucky and the Buckeye Mobile Tour, which brings The Ohio State University-themed games and inflatables.
Vendor judging takes place at 5:30 p.m., with judges awarding first, second and third place honors to the best appetizers, entrées and desserts. A special community judge will be included on the panel again this year. Those wishing to enter for the chance to sit on the judges panel along with local TV personalities and players from the Buckeyes and the Columbus Crew should contact the chamber at 614-481-5710 to enter a drawing for the position.
Alison Betchel, director of marketing for perennial Taste of UA favorite City Barbeque, says the restaurant has been part of the event since before the restaurant opened in 1999.
“We wanted the community to know where they could get the best barbecue around, and we brought it to the Taste of UA. It was awesome. People loved it,” Bechtel says.
The Taste has grown tremendously in the last 21 years, Bechtel says.
“It was always a big gathering of friends and community people, … something we always looked forward to,” she says.
Admission to the Taste of UA is free; vendors set their own prices for samples. For more information, visit www.uachamber.org.
Feedback welcome at laurand@cityscenemediagroup.com
