Taste of Bloomington is returning after five years from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday on Kirkwood Avenue between Walnut Street and Indiana Avenue.
The longtime event was cancelled after 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It supports local businesses by showcasing local restaurants, breweries, wineries and distilleries. Local bands and musicians will perform.
This year’s event is organized by Food Truck Friday organizer and Chocolate Moose director of operations Jordan Davis.
“The culinary scene in any community, but especially Bloomington, is the lifeblood. I mean, it's what brings people together,” Davis said.
Major changes to Taste of Bloomington this year are cost and location.
The event is free and each booth will offer a small serving of about three menu items, each costing $5 or less, Davis said.
It will have 50 local food vendors ranging from international to American cuisine, Davis said. There will also be eight alcohol vendors, including Oliver and Butler wineries, Friendly Beasts Cider and the Bloomington Brewing company.
There will be an eclectic mix of local music ranging from country to jam bands. Performers include Clayton Anderson, DIZGO and Peyton Womack. A local merchandise company called BadkneesTs will be there as well.
“To support all of these different local businesses, to have some great beers, some great wines, and then listen to great live local music just all together. I mean, I don't know what else you could really ask for,” Davis said.