Taste of Downtown’s 30th anniversary this year offers a venerated heritage for those who have enjoyed an evening out along Carson Street at the event. Lisa Lee, director of the nonprofit Advocates to End Domestic Violence backing one of Carson City’s longstanding traditions, says it remains a “pretty big street party” for those wanting to get out and meet their neighbors.
Taste, which takes place 5:30 to 9 p.m. June 15, maintains a sense of pride as one of a few events that never moved from the downtown area where it originally began. Organizers enjoy that it still takes place in the heart of the capital for visitors to peruse restaurants and businesses and get a glance at state government agencies.
“We were pressured so many times to move it somewhere else, either the Governor’s Mansion or the park,” Lee said. “I want you to stroll the street to absorb our heritage.”
This year’s event features approximately 30 restaurants offering unique culinary experiences. Explorers can visit local shops and galleries and hear music from bands Nevada 445 and Hale Mari until 10 p.m.
Taste of Downtown still is considered AEDV’s “capstone” fundraiser of its efforts to build its shelter dedicated to assisting sexual and domestic violence victims, Lee said. The nonprofit has been saving for years to make the facility a reality and celebrated its groundbreaking in October.
“We’ve been planning it for 25 years,” she said. “You think about what you want to incorporate, and you want the quality to be nice so you’re not redoing in three or five years. You want it to be comfortable, you know, because people are going to be living there for five or six months, so you want to be as welcoming and nice as possible.”
Lee said for her, part of the design and preparation process now is to make sure it will have the right furnishings that will make it a hospitable, sustainable environment, with thought and attention going into every detail about using solar energy, high ceilings, windows and furniture for comfort.
“I said it needs to be bright,” she said of the building in process. “When you’re already down and out, depression comes quick, and depression is easier when it’s dark. I want a lot of light, so maybe the sun can chase a lot of dark shadows away.”
Lee said she hoped guests of Taste this year will continue to find new aspects to the event this year, including an artist who will produce caricatures. She also said Carson City continues to be a positive partner, assisting with health permits, as well as the Carson City Sheriff’s Office.
“The reserves are really kind to us,” she said. “The ones on horseback help with the crowds.”
Ultimately, the event helps to pull the local restaurants and shops together, as well as the visitors to reconnect with the capital, Lee said. She added one of her personal favorite aspects of Taste of Downtown is the chance to savor Carson City’s atmosphere and antiquity since its founding.
“It’s nice to see the work on the Legislative Building, to get out of your car and walk these streets,” she said. “These are historical streets. Mark Twain walked these streets. It’s nice to see all the history and the life that’s been in this town. You walk it and you see these brick buildings, and you realize how lucky we are to live in Carson City.”
For information about Taste of Downtown and tickets for the event, visit www.tasteofdowntowncarson.com.