Year after year, Visit Marietta showcases the city's culinary delights in the heart of downtown Marietta. But the Taste of Marietta is more than a celebration of food. It garners a sense of community and honors Marietta's rich heritage in a union of fun, food and festivities.
The festival's first year, dating back to 1993, was more of a humble gathering than the massive foodie convention it resembles today, but it started the legacy. Theresa Jenkins, former director of the Marietta Visitors Bureau, was the visionary leader behind what would become one of Marietta's most beloved traditions.
"Over the years, we have added more restaurants, longer hours of live music and expanded the Kids Alley," says Gina Duncan, Marketing and Public Relations Manager for Visit Marietta. "The newest addition is a chef spotlight stage with live demonstrations by top local chefs."
This year, 46 restaurants and 10 food trucks attended the festival as vendors and four local chefs appeared for live demonstrations. Among the crowd favorites were Hamp & Harrys, Loco 4 Lucuma Ice Cream, The Freakin Incan, Silla del Toro, EggRoll Boyz and BBQ joints Dave Poe's and Williamson Bros. Beyond food, this year's event also hosted local musicians from a range of genres from rock to soul to jams of the 80s and 90s.
Though Taste of Marietta has warped into something much bigger and more meaningful than the small gathering it started as over the years, the community has always remained at the center of its purpose. With everything from Southern cuisine to international flavors, it showcases Marietta's variety of cultures and culinary traditions, gives local businesses a platform to reach the rest of the community and creates lasting memories for all that attend.
“Taste of Marietta is more than just a food festival; it’s a celebration of our shared love for good food, great music, good company, and our beloved Marietta community," says Gina. "I look forward to the Taste of Marietta every year. It has become a family tradition.”