Carson's Taste of Downtown a real palate pleaser

Organizers for Saturday's Taste of Downtown say this year will be the largest in the event's 15-year history.

Lisa Lee, the executive director for the Advocates to End Domestic Violence, which organizes the Taste of Downtown, said the event started with seven restaurants and one band 15 years ago.

Today?

"It's bigger than ever," she said. "We're going to have 38 restaurants and eight live bands. It stretches 16 city blocks (and has) two trolleys."

A $35 ticket buys a wristband that entitles the bearer to samples at booths of more than 30 local restaurants and vendors spread out across 16 blocks in downtown Carson City from 5:30-9 p.m.

Proceeds benefit Advocates, which provides shelter for battered women and children. Lee said she expects most of the 2,000 $35 tickets will be sold by Saturday. Remaining tickets will be sold outside City Hall, 201 N. Carson St., on Saturday.

Anita Whitmore, 56, will be among the vendors at the Taste. Whitmore's specialty are cheese balls, sold through her Cheeseball Experience business.

"It's a recipe I've had for many years," Whitmore said. "If I'm going to a party or a function I always have cheeseballs. It always goes really fast. And so always in the back of my mind I always thought about doing a little side business."

Whitmore, a state worker, decided to start her own business and will make her signature dish - comprised of cream cheese, onions, seasoning and pecans - for the event. She whips them up at the Empire Ranch Golf Course's Mallards Restaurant.

She said she's going to make her product to order, for now.

"That's one reason why I want to do the Taste of Downtown," said Whitmore, a 22-year resident of Carson City.