Story posted Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Terrific 'Taste'
Drops of Rain Here and There No Match For Another Successful Weekend Of Fun
Brooke Spallone, 6, of Des Plaines (center) can't resist chomping on corn with friends Taylor O'Donnell, 5, of Mt. Prospect (right) and Taylor's brother Johnny (left), also 5, along Ellinwood St. during Saturday's Taste of Des Plaines festivities. (Tom Wessell/The Journal)
By DWIGHT ESAU Journal & Topics Reporter
Burgers were more popular than hot dogs, the turkey legs were a hit, the beer flowed freely, the bands were well received, and the weather tried but failed to spoil the fun.
Des Plaines Special Events officials were pleased this week with another successful Taste of Des Plaines, which was attended by 25,000 persons over the three-day weekend of June 5-7.
"We were especially pleased at the favorable reaction of visitors to the bands we brought in and the entertainment in general," said Linda Forman, chairperson of the city's Special Events Commission and Taste coordinator. "We got a lot of compliments on the bands, especially the Heartache group and the Beatles band.
"The weather was perfect on Friday, our first day, but it rained some on Saturday and Sunday, but not enough to spoil the activities," she said.
"The total attendance of 25,000 is average, and wasn't a record, but we'll take it," Forman added. "Our vendors seemed pleased, according to their feedback."
A total of 2,500 burgers were sold, compared to 500 hot dogs. About 900 funnel cakes were sold, along with 150 pounds of Pad Thai, 3,500 slices of pizza, 1,800 pieces of Italian ice, 50 pounds of "hot" chicken wings, 40 pounds of Italian beef, 2,600 ears of corn, 600 nacho orders, 200 veggie wraps, 160 fruit kabobs, 500 pieces of kalua pork, 300 Teriyaki drum sticks, 450 fried pancakes, 750 smoothies, 500 pounds of pork, 300 Maxwell Street polish sausages, 10,000 glasses of beer to wash everything down, along with 1,500 glasses or bottles of pop and water.
The event did not go totally without incident, however. Paramedics responded to two incidents. A young boy was struck Friday on the head by a skateboard, apparently while he and friends were playing with the boards and not riding them, The incident occurred near Prairie and Pearson streets, a short distance away from the primary Taste activity area. The youth was taken to Lutheran General Hospital and was released after minor treatment, authorities said. A Journal & Topics reporter said he saw the youth with blood streaming down his face from what appeared to be a large gash as paramedics were treating him.
In the other incident, a woman fainted briefly on Saturday near the railroad tracks and was attended by paramedics, but refused hospital treatment.
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