Whether you're wanting to try a dish from a new restaurant or have a favorite dish from a special Chamblee hotspot, you can have it all at "A Taste of Chamblee." The event is planned for 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 18 in downtown Chamblee.
Brittney Lindsay, community engagement director for the city, says this fan favorite event has grown over the years, and the city is adding more space to accommodate more guests and more vendors. "We have what we call our south lawn now. It gives us more space to play with and more space to invite more vendors," Brittney says. "We're bringing back our wind down tents, live music, and our partnership with the Navigate Foundation, with the youth culinary competition with the theme - 'All About Tacos.'"
Also new this year is a point of sale system called Billfold that Brittney explains is similar to the previous system used in the past. With Billfold, wristbands can be used to connect to a credit or debit card for a tap to pay scenario. "I like to say it eliminates the one-hand fumble when you're holding a drink or a plate of food and trying to make your next purchase," she says. But if you want to stick to your credit or debit card, Brittney says they'll have that option as well.
In addition to featuring great food and vendors, there'll also be live music, the kid's zone, and large LED screens showing the football games, so you won't have to miss a play. And this year, Brittney hinted that if you like to dance, come prepared to dance - so wear your dancing shoes.
"A Taste of Chamblee" has had a long history in Chamblee starting out as an event held by a local business organization and then a local nonprofit. As the event grew, the city eventually took it over. Brittney, who has been with the city for about seven years now, estimates that about 3,000 to 3,500 people attended the event in her earlier years. Now, she says the numbers are running about 6,000 to 7,000, and the number of vendors has also grown. "...I think people really enjoy it because you can get all types of activities, and you get to try all kinds of food you've never tried before," she says. "At 'A Taste of Chamblee' you really get a chance to see the spirit of the city."
For more information about "A Taste of Chamblee," visit tasteofchamblee.net.
(Images are from last year's event)