Park Ridge’s annual “Taste of Park Ridge” festival is coming back to the city’s Uptown district from July 13 through 15, offering 18 food vendors as well as live music, activities for children and teens and acts from local performers.
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Event organizers told Pioneer Press they hoped the event would offer residents of Park Ridge and nearby suburbs an opportunity to celebrate the city and see what it has to offer.
“It’s a great opportunity for celebration,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jackie Mathews said. “I want people to come away with pride in Park Ridge and what a great community we have, all that we have to offer and an opportunity to see old friends and make new friends and enjoy the best of summer in Park Ridge.”
Taste of Park Ridge President Dave Iglow said there would be six new vendors offering “tastes” at this year’s event. Iglow credited the wave of newcomers to aggressive recruitment efforts and the event’s snowballing reputation.
“Every year our attendance increases,” he said. “Even last year, with the rain on one day, we still got a lot of people. It feeds on itself — there’s just more interest in it and enthusiasm for it.”
The new vendors are Johnny and Tess, which will offer Filipino fare; Korean corn dog purveyor Kong Dog; Midwest Citrus Smashers, offering assorted infused lemonades, Poke Burrito, Shemroom Kabab House and cupcake maker Smallcakes.
Cream of the Crepe, D’Agostino’s Pizza and Pub, Himalayan Restaurant, Mi Restaurante, Mel’s Craft Barbecue, Panino’s Pizzeria, Park Ridge Dairy Queen, Spuntino’s, The Taste Wine Oasis, TriCafe and Triple Scoop’d will all return to the festival, per an event press release.
The event will feature a full lineup of musical performances with local artists like singer-songwriter Kim Schaeffer and local cover band Stonedrift as well as acts from Park Ridge’s School of Rock and Lynette’s School of Dance, according to the festival website.
“The Low Expectations Band, you might see me singing along to that a little bit,” Iglow said.
Iglow also said he was particularly looking forward to a performance by musician Cole Brandt, set for 2:30 p.m. Thursday in a slight departure from many of the other musical offerings at the festival.
“We try to make (festival entertainment) as eclectic as we possibly can,” Iglow said.
A turkey leg eating contest, sponsored by relative newcomer Mel’s Craft Barbecue, is set for July 14 at 2:30 p.m., per the festival website. Hodges Park will feature a Kids Zone from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. July 15 and the Park Ridge Youth Commission will offer a bus with karaoke and video games, Iglow added.
There are still a few open slots for the Canopies on Courtland business exhibition, he said. One of the tents will function as a “wine oasis” from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, Mathews added, with $20 admission fees going to support the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
The festival will open in Uptown Park Ridge July 13 at 11 a.m. and run until 10:30 p.m. that night. The festival will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 14 and 15, per the event’s website.