Taste in Fenton Food Sampling Event Coming Up on Saturday

Fenton has a fun, festive food event lined up for Saturday, with 3,000 to 5,000 people expected to attend. The Fenton Regional Chamber of Commerce's 11th Annual Taste in Fenton will take place from noon to 8 p.m. at the Fenton Community & Cultural Center, 150 S. LeRoy St.

It will feature samplings of specialties from Fenton-area restaurants, which guests will receive in exchange for their tickets. This year's event has 20 restaurants lined up to participate, up from 14 last year, said chamber President Shelly Day.

"Tastes" will include cashew chicken and pineapple fried rice from Bankok Peppers Too, pork sliders and ribs from Beale St. Smokehouse BBQ, wild boar potato boats and local zucchini scones from the Historic Holly Hotel and apricot gorgonzola cheese spread on baguettes from The French Laundry.

In addition, Taste in Fenton has a new event, a pie-eating contest, sponsored by The French Laundry and Crust. The names of 12 people will be drawn from those who wish to participate, and first prize will be $500 cash, Day said. The second- and third-prize winners will receive a free pie each month for a year.

Fenton Winery & Brewery is providing the beer and wine for those 21 and older. It is offering mojito wine coolers as well, Day said.

Also, area high school students from competitive robotics groups will show off their robots at the community center. New this year, a nine-hole miniature golf course will be open to everyone, Day said. Due to its popularity, the Kids Zone with inflatables and children's games will be even bigger this year.

Music will be provided by Too Much Fun at 1 p.m. and the Mike Espy Blues Group at 5 p.m. Day said Too Much Fun is a classic and contemporary band, while Mike Espy Blues Group specializes in blues.
Back by popular demand, this year's Taste in Fenton will feature a Chair Auction with hand-painted chairs by local artists.

"We continue to grow the event so that there is something for everyone, and this year, they'll be able to enjoy arts as well as listen to music and enjoy the food," Day said.

Taste in Fenton is taking place in conjunction with Fenton Kiwanis' Art at the Center this year, so participants can browse booths of art for purchase and display. In addition, the Fenton Fire Department will host its Run through Flames 5K and 10K races, which begin at 10 a.m. at the fire station, 205 E. Caroline St. 

Presenting sponsors are The State Bank and VG's Grocery; the Band Sponsor is Fenton Home Furnishings, Inc.; and the Root Beer Float Sponsor is Financial Plus Credit Union. Additional sponsors are Behind Your Design, Creative Foam, Fenton Winery & Brewery, Ecowater Systems, Talmer Bank and Trust, Tremaine Real Estate and The Community Newspapers.

One ticket has 10 coupons, which participants can redeem for "tastes" they'd like to try at the event. "The restaurants are not charging more than two tickets per item," Day said. "One ticket can sometimes suffice two people, as far as food goes."

Tickets can be purchased before the day of the Taste In Fenton for a discounted $12 price. They are available at the Fenton Regional Chamber office, The State Bank (Fenton/Linden), VG's Food Centers (Fenton, Howell, Burton, Brighton), Financial Plus Federal Credit Union, The French Laundry and Fenton Winery & Brewery or online.

On the day of the event, tickets cost $15. If there is inclement weather, Taste in Fenton will be moved inside the community center.

Participating restaurants are Beale St. Smokehouse BBQ, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bankok Peppers Too, VG's Grocery (with two booths, for bakery and deli), Alpine Market Place, Red Devil, the Historic Holly Hotel, Legends Sports Cafe, Mancino's of Fenton, Canadian Steak Fish and Sandwich Company, Bob Evans, Cafe Aroma, Navistarz Bar & Grill, Tina's Sweet Treats, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Tumbleweed Cantina, Crust and The French Laundry and Jet's Pizza.

For restaurants that might be interested in participating next year, there is no charge for members of the Fenton Regional Chamber of Commerce. In addition, "We are the only chamber in the area we know of that gives back to the restaurants," Day said. They receive 50 cents per ticket they collect.