Taste of Wheaton launches summer fun

Summer entertainment in Wheaton means rocking with an “American Idol” alum.

Or spinning on a Tilt-a-Whirl.

Besides carnival rides and concerts, it also means getting a chance to express your inner da Vinci at a new community mural installed for the Taste of Wheaton, beginning Thursday, May 31. About 10,000 people are expected to attend the four-day event.

The 12-by-6 foot mural is part of an area on Karlskoga Avenue featuring pottery demonstrations and other art activities sponsored by Blick Art Materials. Kids can grab a marker and create their own work. Organizers hope to reuse the mural at other events hosted by the Wheaton Park District.

“The art element is definitely something fun for families to be involved in,” said Margie Wilhelmi, the park district’s director of marketing and fund development.

Another new addition this year aims to satisfy the craft beer aficionado. A craft beer tasting at Memorial Park on Thursday will explore the bold flavors of ales picked by the staff of Wheaton Park District’s Arrowhead Golf Club.

After knocking back a cold one, jam to the Gina Glocksen Band on Thursday night at Memorial Park. Glocksen gained a national spotlight as a Top-10 finalist on season six of Fox’s “American Idol.”

Spoken Four, Vital Signs, Tumbling Dice and He Said She Said are other performances slated for the weekend.

Local businesses and restaurants will showcase their products in Friday’s marketplace business expo in Memorial Park and in a food vendor area along Wheaton Avenue.

On Front Street, the polished curves of classic cars are part of the Downtown Wheaton Association’s Vintage Rides, a weekly summer car show that opens the season Friday during the Taste.

Maybe after all the carnival staples — Italian ices, funnel cakes, candy apples — you need some exercise? Then head to the Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals 5K and 10K starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Park.

Ultimately, the Taste — launched in 2009 and combining the Cream of Wheaton and the city’s Autumn Fest — is designed to trumpet Wheaton’s businesses and restaurants, encourage foot traffic downtown and shepherd in the start of the summer, organizers say.

“It’s kind of the excitement of school’s out,” Wilhelmi said. “Summer’s here.”

A full schedule of events is at wheatonparkdistrict.com. Carnival wristbands cost $20 per day and are valid for rides in the parking lots on Liberty Street. For information, call (630) 665-4710.