Taste of the Cape Food, music and crafts featured at Sunday’s event
The annual Taste of the Cape has extended its hours this year to give attendees more time to enjoy food from local restaurants, craft vendors and live music.
Taste of the Cape will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Four Freedoms Park.
Admission is free; beverage and food tickets are $1 at the combination tasting and concert event.
Taste of Cape Chair Matthew Connar said five years ago the Gulf Coast Symphony and the Cape Coral Chamber Education Committee decided to hold a joint fundraiser, which resulted in Taste of the Cape.
“We felt that Cape Coral in general was lacking in abundance of a cultural event,” he said.
The two benefactors are the Gulf Coast Symphony Music Works Program held in Harlem Heights and the Education Committee, which provides scholarships for high school seniors.
“One hundred percent of the proceeds goes to the community,” Connar said. “Each organization was able to raise $14,000 each. That went directly back into the community.”
For the first time, Taste of the Cape has a title sponsor, Gunterberg Charitable Foundation.
“They have been very gracious by giving us a cash donation,” he said.
The food is always a big draw.
“Participating restaurants are offering sample dishes and full sized dishes,” Connar said. “There will be smaller portions to sample around different restaurants.”
As of the beginning of the week, they had 14 spots taken by such restaurants as Iguana Mia, Zirillis Chilly Treats, Jet’s Pizza, Hooters, Tasty Cultures, City Subs, Big Blue Brewing, Bistro to Go and Gather.
“We really try to get a good representation,” Connar said. “The food is going to be judged by local dignitaries, the mayor being one of them.”
In addition to food, the annual event also features a range of craft vendors.
“We have everything from apparel to jewelry design, fine arts and hats,” he said.
Taste of the Cape also will feature an array of light classical, pops and Broadway favorites by the Gulf Coast Symphony at 5:30 p.m. for the “Symphony at Sunset.”
The band Strange Arrangement will present a special collaboration with the Symphony.
The event, in years past, has raised between 7,000 to 10,000 people.
Connar said this year the owner of the empty lots located next to the tower buildings on Cape Coral Parkway near the park will be charging people to park there. Attendees are encouraged to use the city lots for free parking, as they will have a trolley offering service from all major city lots in Cape Coral.
Four Freedoms Park, is at 4818 Tarpon Court, off Cape Coral Parkway.
No coolers or pets, please.
For more information visit www.TasteofCapeCoral.com.