Andrea Siergey and her mother, Darlene Ivashchenko, seemed to be singing a song as they rattled off menu items in an attempt to attract customers to their booth Thursday.
Ivashchenko called out “fried pickles here!” and Siergey replied “get your fried cheese curds here!” each drawing out the last word just a bit.
Siergey owns Declan’s Bar and Grill in Elmwood Park, one of more than 20 booths that were out for the Taste of Elmwood Park Aug. 6 through, lined up along 74th Avenue between the railroad tracks and Fullerton Avenue.
This is the second time Siergey has participated in the event. The fried cheese curds were particularly popular, she said.
“Last year we had sandwiches and this year we have fried stuff,” she said.
She hopes those who tried their food at the Taste will stop by her establishment on Grand Avenue.
“It’s nice to meet people in the neighborhood,” she said. “It’s nice to see people who come to see us out here.”
At Jimmy’s Red Hots’ booth, a “no ketchup” rule on hot dogs was strictly enforced, with the booth’s employees giving out buttons and T-shirts lobbying locals to their side.
Frank Gagliardo, 76, of Elmwood Park, contemplated getting a hot dog from Jimmy’s, but decided he needed ketchup.
He says he’s come to the Taste of Elmwood Park almost every year. Thursday, he had his mind set on something sweet.
“I like the funnel cakes,” he said.
Along with food, there were carnival games and rides available for small children. Celia “Cece” Donat, 68, of Elmwood Park, waved at her 4-year-old grandson, Aidan, each time he passed by her on the miniature train he was riding. Aidan waved back, smiling.
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She, too, says she comes out to the Taste every year. This year, she brought her grandson along because she was babysitting.
“I like the different variety of foods they have,” Donat said. “A lot of them are the same restaurants, but they always serve something different and I don’t have to cook.”
Robert Huerta, 34, came out with his wife, Zoila, 32, and son, Isaiah, 8, to enjoy the event on the first day.
“We were here last year and today we wanted to come out and spend time with the family, hang out and eat,” Robert Huerta said.
Laura Pollom, 38, of Elmwood Park, says she’s only lived in the village only a year, but knew about the event and this is her second time coming to the Taste. She was in the process of buying two tacos from Maria’s Mexican Restaurant’s booth.
“I live a block away and I hear the music and I come out,” she said. “Last year, I had my parents coming from Indiana.”
Michael Moretti, owner of La Lucé in Chicago, was selling Maryland-style crab cake sandwiches at the event. This was the first time he signed up as a food vendor at the event, but he has strong times to the village.
“I was born and raised here,” he said. “This event brings back memories. It’s a great neighborhood.”
Ice cream, cookies and big chocolate brownies were on sale at the Seph’s Sweets booth.
Rodica Popa, co-owner of the bakery on Conti Parkway, said she enjoys being part of the festive atmosphere.
“I like it because there are a lot of families and kids,” she said.
There was plenty to do at the festival Thursday besides eat. While music played from the stage in Central Park, the Mayor’s Cup Bocce Ball Tournament was underway with four courts in constant use over the course of the four-day event.
Ana Suboni, 41, was one member of the all-girl “LaBocce Vita” team participating in the competition. The tournament was heavily dominated by male teams, but she and her teammates Patsy LaRocco, Chrissy LaRocco and Lauren LaRocco didn’t care; they were ready to win.
“You can’t win unless you show up,” she said. “It’s my first time.”
But while some people drank and ate, Bob and Pauline McCown just hung out in the shade and enjoyed the festival’s music.
They sat in green and tan woven folding chairs, set up close enough that Pauline, 69, could rest her hand on top of her husband’s as they sat and enjoyed the music. on Thursday, which was their 49th wedding anniversary.
Bob, 82, jokes that he met his wife in an “alley” — a bowling alley.
They live in Chicago, but are fans of all the events in Elmwood Park.
“We come here for everything they have,” she said.
Twitter: @DavidDPollard