Taste of Bloomington

Indiana residents and guests from across the state and Midwest crave a taste of Bloomington. \nMore than 40 Bloomington restaurants, wineries and brewpubs offered campus community members and guests a wide array of food, entertainment and reasons for joining the city community for its annual Taste of Bloomington at the Showers Common located near City Hall. \nBrooks Tolbert, a Bloomington resident for more than 20 years, said he was a first-time patron to "The Taste."\n"This is quite an event -- there is good spirit from the people here," he said. "The best part of Bloomington is the community friendliness -- a higher level of enlightenment and understanding, a blended show of so many spices."\nThe Taste of Bloomington patrons were costumed in summertime pastel colors like soft pinks, light blues and greens.\nBloomington resident Greg Young said he attended the event to meet some friends on "the right side of the stage behind the crowd."\n"I'm here to have a beer, a good time and to eat some food," Young said.\nThe Taste of Bloomington vendors wore company outfits or special t-shirts adorned with Mardi Gras beads and flowers in their hair.\nRoger Gibbs, a resident of Woodridge, Ill., said he was in town to visit his son before Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He said the atmosphere is "certainly different" in Bloomington compared to other Midwest communities he is familiar with.\n"It is very festive -- a lot of people are here and it is a nice evening to be out," Gibbs said. "There is a lot of ethic food here I enjoy. I really like the curry. Bloomington is a very nice town from what I've seen, very clean."\nPatron eyes seemed to gravitate toward booths based on the scents leading their noses. The onslaught of hungry and happy families jockeyed for position in human lines to restaurants, wineries and pubs based on the suggestions of friends and other family members. \nSpencer resident Adam Bowen attended "The Taste" to film footage for local television station CATS. \n"I love the taste -- I think it's a great event. You see a lot of the locals come out and it's always nice weather," he said. "I like watching people walk around and enjoying themselves."\nBloomington resident Beth Rives said she attended "The Taste" years before, but this year it seemed "much nicer, bigger and more alive." She recommended the Downtown Bloomington Commission offer more German entertainment such as music and dancing.\n"I love Bloomington -- the friendliness and diversity," she said. "The people are open. They smile and say hello. They even stop me and say, 'May I ask you a few questions?"