Food, music entertain at the Taste of Bloomington

Hot temperatures didn’t stop the large crowds and busy activities that made up the 32nd annual Taste of Bloomington this weekend.

Pegged as one of Bloomington’s favorite summer events, Taste of Bloomington brought together dozens of Bloomington’s best restaurants, wineries and breweries.

Cheap food in combination with live music created a small-town festival atmosphere that offered something for all Bloomington residents, students and families alike.  

Food booths and stages lined the streets of Showers Commons from 3 to 11 p.m.

During the afternoon portion, many attendees could be seen sitting under a tree, finding a cool spot away from the sun and eating their most recent choice of food while listening to a band playing on one of the two primary stages.

Children found relief from the rising temperatures by playing in the fountain in front of Bloomington City Hall while their families sat at one of the hundreds of nearby tables set up for the event. Near the north side of the festival, there were activities set up for young children such as bounce houses, face painting, and balloon animal stations.

A big attraction this year was the Clayton Anderson Band, which stirred a lot of excitement among college students.

The Rods and Cones also played and offered a nostalgic feeling for many IU alumni who were present during the band’s time touring the Midwest in the ’80s.

“If you’re in town and don’t go to the Taste of Bloomington, you’re making a huge mistake,” attendee Jack Dillard said.

Many of the workers at the food stations commented on how the lines were always long and people were eager to try new types of food.

“Although I sweated a lot, I loved coming to the Taste of Bloomington,” attendee Kathleen Adams said. “I got to eat a lot of new things.”

Many people who were present at the event waited in any line for a taste of what Bloomington had to offer, letting them relish in an old favorite food or discover a new restaurant within the city of Bloomington.

The organizers of the event enjoyed working with the community and seeing the citizens come out.

Co-director Talisha Coppock said an estimated 1,000 people attended the event this year.

“My favorite part is seeing it all come together,” Coppock said. “The groups of people we work with are professionals in their field. Everyone is here to have fun and give back to community.”