Taste of Lombard: So many flavors, so little time
Corn on the cob, Italian sausage, barbecue, chocolate-covered strawberries, Chinese dishes, Mexican food, pizza — there’s so many different foods at the Taste of Lombard that it takes a dedicated person to try it all.
With 26 restaurants representing a potpourri of flavors offered in the area, members of the Lombard Jaycees say that’s the benefit of organizing the five-day festival.
“It’s nice to have to be there so much,” Taste of Lombard Co-Chairman Dan Piper said. “We really get a sample of what everybody has to offer.”
In its 30th year, the Taste of Lombard runs Thursday to Monday, June 30 to July 4, at Madison Meadow Park, on Madison Street at Lewis Avenue.
The fest includes food and drink, main stage entertainment, a carnival, arts and crafts and a July 4 fireworks show.
Two establishments are new to the fest: Jamba Juice and Lombard-based My Pizza. Other participating restaurants include J’s Food Service, Strawberry Patch, Greek Delights, Lee’s Concession, Suzie’s Fun Foods, Windsor Ice Cream, BoJo’s, Gelato Italiano, Ayala’s Cocina, Gianorio’s, Dippin’ Dots, Genoa Italian Concession, Salt Creek BBQ, RS Concessions, BBQ’d Productions, T&S Concessions, Ellyn’s, and Lopez Concession.
Admission is $3 for ages 10 and older. Once inside, food is sold at each individual booth. Full portions range from $5 to $8. Or eaters can choose $2 taste samples — miniature portions of the items being served.
A festival highlight each year is the July 4 fireworks, organizers say. The fireworks are set to music that will be simulcast on 101.5 FM beginning at about 9:30 p.m.
While many other communities have scaled back fireworks or eliminated them entirely because of financial constraints, the Lombard Jaycees have maintained the tradition.
“Our show is at the same magnitude as it has been in past years,” Taste Co-Chairman Adam Eakins said.
Throughout the fest, a variety of local and national bands grace the stage this year, including 7th Heaven, Lucky Boys Confusion and Slaughter.
“We really put a focus on some local bands up-and-coming so their fans can come out,” Piper said. “We got a couple of national acts and we went for some of the bigger local acts as well.”
On the main stage Thursday are Glendenning, Pandora’s Kingdom and 7th Heaven. Friday’s acts are Aktar Aktar, Send in the Clones and Bella Cain.
On Saturday, catch Finish Ticket, Bird by Bird, Ovrevolt, The Placebo Effect, Modern Day Romeos and Lucky Boys Confusion. On Sunday, see Vehicle, After Season, Paint the Night, The Fold and Slaughter. Monday’s lineup features Crooked Days, Finding Valor, the Lombard Idol Finalists, C Factor and the Lounge Puppets.
Other entertainment options include bingo and family-focused attractions such as performances by local dance companies, the Helen Plum Library Story Time, a magician and more.
For a full schedule of entertainment and times, visit tasteoflombard.com.
Taste of Lombard runs from 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The carnival hours are the same as the fest. Carnival passes, for $20, offer holders unlimited rides 5 p.m. to close on Thursday and Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Free shuttle buses will run between Madison Meadow Park and three remote parking destinations: Madison Elementary School, Pleasant Lane Elementary School and Glenbard East High School. Shuttle buses run 7 to 11:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 4 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
For information, call (630) 375-7474 or visit tasteoflombard.com.
Taste of Lombard
<B><a href="http://tasteoflombard.com/">When: 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, June 30 and July 1; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, July 2, 3 and 4
Where: Madison Meadow Park, Madison Street at Lewis Avenue, Lombard
Admission: $3 for ages 10 and older
Info: (630) 375-7474 or tasteoflombard.com</a></B><B></B><B></B><B></B>