Taste of Des Plaines 2008

Chairman of the Special Events Commission and the 2008 Taste of Des Plaines Linda Forman is pleased to announce that the eighth annual Taste resulted in approximately 20,000 attending this year’s summer event held June 6, 7 and 8, 2008 in downtown Des Plaines.

Despite a few thunderstorms and weather related events that sent artists and vendors undercover on several occasions over the three day period, Taste Chairman Linda Forman reports that the following were consumed:

• 120 Frozen Bananas
• 500 Smoothies
• 150 assorted desserts
• 2800 burgers
• 350 Fried Twinkies
• 200 orders of wings (~12 per order)
• 2000 orders of Tator Tots
• 2000 Tacos
• 700 Funnel Cakes
• 700 Hot Dogs
• 200 Turkey legs
• 300 Snow Cones
• 3000 Slices of pizza
• 420 Corn dogs
• 2000 ears of Corn
• 350 Pretzels
• 300 Nachos
• 400 orders of Egg Rolls
• 1000 Crab Rangoon
• 800 Italian ice
• 1400 Sandwiches (Pork & Beef)
• Over 10,000 glasses of Budweiser beer were sold

In addition, 1,100 people walked through the Des Plaines History Center and 900 slices of pie were sold!! "Pies on the porch" is the Taste of Des Plaines’ ‘signature’ food item as it is depicted on most of the publicity generated for the Taste.

86 individuals signed up for the newly initiated Des Plaines Pounds Down Program, initiated by Des Plaines Mayor Tony Arredia and 5th Ward Alderman Carla Brookman. The Des Plaines Pounds Down Program promotes fitness and asks residents to participate in programs promoting a healthy lifestyle. For additional information visit the City’s website.

The Taste of Des Plaines 2008, sponsored by the Special Events Commission, is a Citywide effort. The Commission is assisted by the Mayor and City Manager’s Office, Public Works Department, the Police and Fire Departments, the City’s Legal Department, the Finance Department, the City Clerk’s Office, Citizens on Patrol (COPS), the Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Des Plaines Historical Society, the Des Plaines Park District, and the Des Plaines Public Library. The Taste includes the Des Plaines Art Guild’s Annual Art Fair, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Home Health and Consumer Expo, and the Des Plaines Park District’s Chase to the Taste, a fun 5 K walk/run. Lattof YMCA annually contributes the climbing wall to the event.

This year’s Taste of Des Plaines Gold Sponsors include Feldco, Stone Gate Condominiums, Advantage Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Des Plaines Journal & Topics, and the Drive Radio, WDRV-FM (97/1 FM).

"The Taste is an exciting family oriented event that allows kids (of all ages) to enjoy free entertainment, great food, and just plain fun… Des Plaines style. The Special Events Commission enjoys coordinating it annually. The Taste is truly a team effort and we are pleased to have the opportunity to present it to the community," Taste Chairman Linda Forman said.

The Barefoot Hawaiians, who have their headquarters in Des Plaines, annually entertain at the Taste. Crowds welcomed them back this year. Some of the Barefoot Hawaiian dancers recently opened TIKI TERRACE, a new restaurant in the Oaks Shopping Center at Oakton and Lee Street, Des Plaines.

Artist Lois Zima was one of several artists to display artwork for purchase as part of the Des Plaines Art Guild’s Annual Art Fair, held in conjunction with the Taste of Des Plaines (pictured above) Zima poses with her handmade ming trees at this year’s Art Fair at the Taste of Des Plaines.

Runners participating in this year’s Des Plaines Park District’s Chase to the Taste 5 K Fun Walk/Run are off to a great start of the race that took them through the neighborhoods of Des Plaines. The race took place Saturday, June 7, 2008 and began in downtown Des Plaines.

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