About Us
downtown Kalamazoo parking lot affectionately known as Lot 9.
| Originally called the "Taste of Downtown," the festival featured about a dozen downtown restaurants and was organized by local eateries such as Chaps on Main, Dionysis, and Oakley's. Oakley's management took over the event in the late 1980's until the restaurant unfortunately closed its doors in 1991. The management of Chaps on Main continued the event, renaming it the "Taste of Kalamazoo" and expanding the pool of participants to include restaurants from the wider Kalamazoo area. The coordinator back then - and even to this very day - is Wayne Deering, and the festival is still managed by Events, Inc. The "Taste," as it is now known by locals, had several non-profit sponsors through the 1990's. Then in 1998, the Kalamazoo Jaycees became the event's sponsor and have continued their involvement ever since. Profits from the event support the many community activities and programs of the Kalamazoo Jaycees. |
Now in its 24th consecutive year, the Taste of Kalamazoo has grown to include more then 30 area restaurants of wide-ranging culinary styles as well as numerous local wineries and breweries. |
The event gradually grew each year, moving from the west part of Lot 9 to the east part, and then across the street to an unimproved lot. In 2000, the lot was improved and called the "Festival Site," although it was still disguised as a parking lot during the daylight. Then, in 2005, the now-famous parking lot was transformed into the current festival site - Arcadia Creek Festival Place, a 2.5 million dollar festival park funded by private dollars and managed by DKI Charities. The park is bordered by a reflection pond with an entrance bridge and a permanent brick and iron fence surrounding the grassy areas, playground, brick paved plaza and the crowning jewel of it all - a circular, covered pavilion and state-of-the-art performance stage. Arcadia Creek Festival Place has since become a renowned location for large-scale festival events as well as a destination sought out by entire families for leisurely enjoyment on beautiful summer afternoons.
Now in its 24th consecutive year, the Taste of Kalamazoo has grown to include more then 30 area restaurants of wide-ranging culinary styles as well as numerous local wineries and breweries. Each year more restaurant vendors are added to allow a wider selection of items, now over 200 in all. Care is taken to avoid duplication of menu items and cuisine, while offering sample sizes with the maximum price of only $4.00 per item...that's 8 tickets in "Taste talk"...
So come down, bring your lawn chairs and laugh with the children as they playfully run through the dancing water fountains. Sample some exotic sushi, a brand new merlot, or some world-famous barbecue. Soak in some sun, forget what time it is, and chat with old friends you haven't seen in years. Watch the sun go down as another band takes the stage and makes the city pulse with life.
Summer is short. Get here early and enjoy it while you can - you won't regret it.