CELEBRATE SUMMER WITH TASTE OF WHEATON 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: May 16, 2016

Wheaton, Ill.—Summer is the season you start waiting for before it’s even over. It’s the time for pleasant weather, leisure, music, evening strolls, and festivals. The Taste of Wheaton 2016, running in downtown Wheaton Thursday, June 2 through Sunday, June 5, captures the hustle and bustle of a vibrant community celebrating summer.

Organized annually by the Wheaton Park District (WPD) and the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce and presented for the fourth year by First Trust Portfolios L.P., the Taste fills several square blocks with carnival rides, the best local food, live entertainment, family friendly games and crafts, a beer garden, business expo, the Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals 5K/10K and half-mile Zippity Zoo Run, art and craft vendors, and Art in the Park.

“The Wheaton Park District and Wheaton Chamber have been working hard for the past six months on making this event happen,” said Nicole Kapala, WPD Marketing & Events Coordinator. “I’m looking forward to seeing everything come together.”

One of the fruits of their half-year labor is a full entertainment schedule, featuring Planet Groove Thursday night (8-9:30P), The Boy Band Night on Friday (8-10P), Hi-Infidelity on Saturday (8-10P), and The Neverly Brothers on Sunday (4-6P). These acts, plus eight others throughout the free four-day fest, all take the stage in the Memorial Park band shell.

Just east of Memorial Park on Hale Street is Art in the Park, where guests can shop the works of Wheaton’s creative minds and take part in other activities.

“This year’s attractions include an airbrush tattoo artist, face painter, Mini Touch a Truck, line dancing demo, Teddy Bear Checkup sponsored by DuPage Medical Group, and more,” said Adult Education and Recreation Supervisor Matthew Wrobel.

Thrill-seekers will get their kicks at the carnival on Liberty Street and foodies will get their fix from the Taste’s many food vendors. Savor mouth-watering meats from Steamboat BBQ, farm-to-fork Southern Italian cuisine from Gia Mia Pizza Bar, and authentic pad thai and more from Choun’s Restaurant, along with dishes from other great area restaurants.

Beer connoisseurs from craft to Coors can find something to sip in the beer garden, serving domestic beer, a craft beer selection, pop, water, red and white wine by the glass, and Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

For Kerry O’Brien, Executive Director of the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, the Taste changes moment to moment and day to day.

“Wheaton is rich in variety and the Taste of Wheaton reflects that,” she said. “Every day has something unique and has its own feel during this festival under a canopy of trees in our historic downtown. You will want to sample something special on each of the four days.”

Admission to the Taste of Wheaton 2016 is free.

The Taste of Wheaton 2016 is sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P., Timothy Financial, Weber Orthodontics, KL Family Dental, DuPage Credit Union, DuPage Medical Group, Downtown Wheaton Association, and Haggerty Chevrolet.

To learn more and to see the full schedule of activities, visit tasteofwheaton.com.

The morning of the third day (Saturday, June 4) holds something extra special: the Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals 5K/10K. Marking its 35th year, the run is one of the zoo’s biggest regular fundraisers, supporting the development and renovation of its exhibits and the superb stewardship of its animals and the environment.

Both race routes wind through residential Wheaton, and the 10K route makes a loop through Northside Park. For the first time, the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) named the run a 2016 Runners’ Choice Circuit Race, which includes such other storied events as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the Fleet Feet Sports Soldier Field 10 Mile.

It’s not only adult athletes getting their weekend workout and supporting the zoo. Kids can dash through the half-mile Zippity Zoo Run, also on Saturday, June 4.

The 5K and 10K kick off from Memorial Park at 7:30A, with the Zippity Zoo Run following at 8:45A. Overall winners and age division awards will be given for the 5K and 10K. All Zippity Zoo participants will receive an award at the finish line.

Through May 30, registration for the 5K and 10K is $35 per person. Registration for the Zippity Zoo Run is $20 per child. To learn more, visit cosleyzoo.org/events, and for questions, contact Ryan Miller, Race Director, at [email protected] or 630.510.5135.

Taste of Wheaton

Written by: Brett Peto