The Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce is promising a bigger and better day of food and fun for the seventh annual ‘Taste of Clarkston,? set for Sept. 26.
The most notable changes to this year’s ‘Taste? are the switch from Saturday to Sunday and the closing of Main Street to host the event.
‘We have got a day full of good stuff for people,? Terri Bendes, chamber event enthusiast/planner, said.
The decision to change the event’s usual Saturday time came after chamber officials met with area businesses and found the day was the busiest for restaurants and a little difficult to handle the large crowds from ‘Taste.? Moving the event to Sunday allowed chamber officials to create an event the whole family will enjoy.
‘This is an event where families could come out, spend the day there and not get bored,? Bendes said.
Not only was the day changed to create a better event, so was the actual location.
Chamber officials realized that the growing popularity of the event was drawing large crowds and thus necessitated a larger area for both the participating businesses and patrons. Downtown Clarkston’s Depot Park was considered, but using a closed Main Street seemed like a beneficial way to showcase the city’s character.
‘We really wanted to show people from outside of the community what a treasure we have in Clarkston,? Bendes said.
Working with the Clarkston City Council and City Clerk Art Pappas, the chamber was able to close Main Street for the day after receiving permission from the Michigan Department of Transportation. To keep some traffic moving smoothly, Depot Rd. will be open to two-way traffic that Sunday only.
‘The biggest thing is to keep the downtown area safe,? Bendes said. ‘I just want to see people’s reaction to Main Street being shut down.?
Last year ‘Taste? attracted more than 3,000 people to the event. Organizers are hoping to bring anywhere from 12,000 to 15,000 to downtown Clarkston this year. To accomplish this goal, organizers have been heavily promoting the event through television and radio advertising.
‘We really think we’ve done a nice job promoting and I think there’s a buzz about it,? Bendes said.
Thirty restaurants have signed on to take part in this year’s event, more than double the number of establishments from last year. According to Bendes, some will have sample size food available while some will feature full meals. All food is purchased by tickets, which are available in books of $5 and $10 amounts.
‘There’s lots of variety,? Bendes said. ‘People are really going to be tickled when they see what’s down there.?
In addition to the food at ‘Taste,? entertainment will play a large part in keeping patrons occupied during the day. A children’s stage will feature a ventriloquist, a magician and a puppeteer while local bands will take turns performing to provide various music styles for older crowds. Businesses throughout the community will have decorated windows all in support of the event.
Lending a great deal of support to the chamber is the Independence Township Parks and Recreation Department. The department, along with Independence Township and the Clarkston Wolf Pack Running Club, will be hosting the annual ‘Fall Daze? races that Sunday.
‘We’re thoroughly excited about everything going on and are looking for people to be totally blown away by this event,? Bendes said.
‘Taste of Clarkston? runs from 12-6 p.m. on Sept. 26. Free shuttle parking is available at Clarkston Elementary School, Clarkston Middle School and the Community Education Center on Waldon Rd. Registration packets for the ‘Fall Daze? races are available at the Parks and Recreation Department. For questions regarding the races, contact the department at (248) 625-8223. Food tickets will be sold the day of the event. For more information, contact the chamber at (248) 625-8055.