Upper Arlington

Taste of Upper Arlington returns Aug 5th

By MaryAnn Shoemaker on August 2, 2010

The 17th annual event will be held Thursday, Aug. 5, from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Northam Park. And according to Upper Arlington Chamber of Commerce president Becky Hajost. it will feature more food and entertainment than ever before.

“I look forward to the event, because it is one time of the year that I get to be face-to-face with our local area businesses and really feel the energy,” she said. “You see the interaction between the public, the attendees and the outreach by businesses and all the creative things they do at their spaces.”

She said the Taste of UA is not just a taste of what local restaurants have to offer, it’s a taste of the entire Upper Arlington business community.

This year, the event will feature about 35 food vendors, including Caf DaVinci, Bruegger’s Bagels, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and the Rusty Bucket Corner Tavern.

Each food vendor will serve a portion of its regular menu.

Colleen Krupp, a co-chair for this year’s Taste of Upper Arlington, said seven judges will rank the different food vendors based on their appetizers, main dishes and desserts.

Judges this year include Upper Arlington Mayor Frank Ciotola and Franklin County Clerk of Courts Maryellen O’Shaughnessey.

There also will be a peoples’ choice award, Krupp said. Last year’s winner of the award was the Great Harvest Bread Company.

Those interested in voting can pick up a ballot at the chamber tent.

Hajost said there will be about 100 booths total, featuring local businesses and organizations.

This year’s event will feature two different types of entertainment – a magician and the Ark Band, a Columbus-based reggae band.

The event’s bier garten will feature the band Avalon Nine, a central-Ohio acoustic group.

Krupp says she has been working with the event for a number of years and loves attending it.

“It’s a great community event,” she said. “It gives you a feel for all Upper Arlington has to offer, the chamber has to offer.”

Her fellow co-chair is Charlie Groezinger.

“Now that I have a 4-year-old, the entertainment and kids rides are a big draw for me,” she said. “It’s very family friendly.”

Hajost said Taste of Upper Arlington, which is expected to draw more than 10,000 visitors this year, is the chamber’s largest fundraiser.

“This is a huge fundraiser for us,” she said. “It makes up a significant portion of the non-member dues revenue.”

Though it is an important fundraiser for the chamber, Hajost said the event is free for anyone to attend.

“We are working to keep the vendors’ spaces affordable but also keep it free to the public so everyone can come,” she said.

She said two large tents with tables and chairs will be set up on each side of the park but people can bring chairs and blankets to sit on.

“It’s a combination of activities and bringing people together,” Hajost said.

By GAIL MARTINEAU
ThisWeek Staff Writer