As the annual Taste of Downtown festival enters its 16th year, it's clear that putting together Carson City's top cultural event has become an increasingly daunting challenge for planners and city officials. But as preparation for the biggest Taste ever wound up this week, organizers seemed fully willing to do it all again.
"At this point, there's nothing you can tell me about hand-washing stations and food permits that I haven't already heard," said Lisa Lee, director of Advocates to End Domestic Violence, which runs and benefits from the event. "But it's so great when you see people who show up having no idea what to expect and you can just see them falling in love with their hometown all over again."
This year's street fair, which runs 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday, features food booths from more than 30 regional restaurants and more than a dozen local shops. Participants use a map to navigate their way to each stop, where they get a taste of house specials of all descriptions and culinary styles.
In addition to the dozens of longtime restaurants involved again this year, Saturday's event will encompass the Carson Mall and the Brewery Arts Center, thanks to two new restaurants in the mall and a cafe in the arts center.
Typical of the event, thousands of people are expected to swarm some 20 blocks between Tenth Street and Telegraph Square. Many shops and eateries will stay open late to capitalize on the crowd. Shuttles will ferry participants from stop to stop, and at least seven live bands ranging from jazz to rock also will play until midnight.
"We're expecting the best weather ever," Lee said. "Years and years ago, we picked this weekend because (historically) it's the only spring weekend that never gets snow.
This year, we're looking at
90 degrees with wind around
6 mph."
Tickets cost $35 and are available from Classy Seconds Thrift Shop, Khristopher's Cafe and the Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau. Only 2,000 will be sold, but any tickets not presold will go on sale at the advocates information booth on the Legislative Lawn at 10 a.m. Saturday.
While Taste of Downtown has been a major help in showcasing the city's renewed downtown district, its primary purpose is to bolster Advocates to End Domestic Violence, which provides shelter and services to victims of domestic abuse. After the group reimburses each vendor and restaurant for their help with the event, advocates stands to make about $45,000, Lee said.
"(Advocates to End Domestic Violence) used to have 17 or 18 fundraisers every year," she said. "This event allows us to focus on just one or two, which is wonderful. Plus, it's such a great time for everyone."
RESTAURANTS
• Artisan Cafe - 449 W King St. (located in the Brewery Arts Center) - 283-4440
• B'Sghetti's - 318 North Carson St. - 887-8879
• Bella Fiore - 2245 South Carson St., #8 - 888-WINE
• Brugo's Pizza - 3228 North Carson St., #10 - 887-7437
• Caterpillar Hookah Lounge - 314 S. Carson St. - 882-9744
• Carson Nugget - 507 North Carson St. - 882-1626
• Catered Affair - 28100 South Carson St. - 882-4900
• Charley's Grilled Subs - 1304 S. Stewart St. - 884-1911
• City Cafe Bakery - 701 South Carson St. - 882-2253
• Comma Coffee - 312 South Carson St. - 883-2662
• Doppelgangers Bar & Grill - 302 North Carson St. - 882-7787
• Feisty Goat Pub - 1881 E. Long St. - 887-0202
• Finucci's Grand Central Pizza & Pasta - 3965 South Carson St. - 883-3900
• Firkin & Fox - 310 South Carson St. - 883-1369
• Garibaldi's - 301 N Carson St. - 884-4574
• Jamba Juice - 921 Topsy Lane - 697-6642
• Jimmy G's Cigar Bar - 301 N. Carson St.
• Juan's Mexican Grill - 402 N Carson St. - 882-9944
• Keva Juice - 2320 South Carson St., Suite 2 - 883-6444
• Khristopher's Cafe - 963 Topsy Lane, Suite - 312 882-3333
• L&L Hawaiian BBQ - 1300 S Stewart St. - 887-8888
• Lady Tamales - 933 Woodside Dr., #102 - 841-6533
• Locals BBQ - 3849 South Carson St. - 841-9999
• Mo and Sluggo's - 110 W. Telegraph St. - 885-1888
• Mom & Pops - 224 South Carson St. - 884-4411
• Papa Murphy's - 1894 Highway 50 E., #5 - 884-0275
• Plaza Hotel & Convention Center - 801 South Carson St. - 883-9500
• Qdoba Mexican Grill - 933 Topsy Lane North - 267-9366
• Red's Old 395 Grill - 1055 South Carson St. - 887-0395
• Sierra Joe's - 444 E. Williams St., #6 - 883-0323
• Starbuck's - 3228 North Carson St. - 841-6557
• Sugar Plum Bakery - 2292 Main St., Genoa - 783-8828
• Thai Spice Kitchen and Sushi Bar - 111 E. Telegraph St. - 841-8999
• Trader Joe's - U.S. Highway 395 South Carson - 267-2486
• The Alley Espresso Cafe - 701 Telegraph St. #30 - 883-6618
• Wild Bill's Pizza - 1475 Old Hot Springs Road
2009 PARTICIPATING SHOPS
• A New U Salon & Spa - 116 East Seventh St. - 461-0113
• Alies Flowers & Gifts - 1233 South Carson St. - 882-8490
• Carson Cigar Company - 318 North Carson St., # 101 - 884-4402
• Carson Jewelry & Loan - 308 North Carson St. - 883-1717
• Due Sorella/Two Sisters - 202 North Curry St. - 841-6211
• Great Basin Gallery & Frames - 110 South Curry St. - 882-8505
• Hanifin's Arts & Antiques - 210 N Carson St. - 882-2880
• Mary's About Face & Body - 112 North Curry St. - 721-5963
• Salon Chocolat - 710 North Walsh St. - 884-3667
• Shahram's Fine Persian Rugs - 411 North Curry St., # A - 883-7888
• Sierra Rose Floral & Gifts - 401 South Curry St. - 887-1913
• Wedding Emporium - 1215 South Carson St. - 883-8897
• Westwall Militaria - 412 North Curry St. - 885-7643