Taste of Bloomington is back for the summer and will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The annual event, which is set up at the Showers Commons at Seventh and Morton streets, will highlight more than 30 of Bloomington’s local restaurants, breweries and wineries, and food trucks, according to a release from Downtown Bloomington Inc. It will run through 11 p.m.
The event is one of the city’s largest yearly festivals and also features bits and pieces of the Bloomington art scene. Musician Jake Dodds is scheduled as the headlining act for the evening and is set to close the night, but several local, regional and national music groups will perform throughout the day.
Children’s activities are also scheduled from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. All activities are free except for face painting.
Participating restaurants range from cheaper favorites like the Big Cheeze to more expensive spots like Janko’s Little Zagreb. A full list of participating restaurants can be found on the Taste of Bloomington website.
Tickets for Taste of Bloomington can be purchased in advance online at bctboxoffice.com for $7. Admission for adults is $8 at the gate, and admission for children younger than 12 is free.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation announced the weekly Saturday Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market, which usually opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 1 p.m., will be cut an hour short to make time for Taste of Bloomington setup.
Morton Street in front of city hall will also be closed all day, according to a Parks and Recreation press release, which will limit parking near the farmers market.
The release states the most convenient parking for the market will be at the Seventh and Morton Street garage for 50 cents per hour.
The Taste of Bloomington website recommends metered parking on the street and in city garages at Seventh and Walnut streets, Fourth and Walnut streets and Seventh and Morton streets for festival parking.
A portion of the proceeds collected from Taste of Bloomington’s earnings will be put toward the Hoosier Hills Food Bank and the Community Kitchen of Monroe County, according to the Taste of Bloomington website.
Anicka Slachta
