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Some rode bikes, others pushed baby strollers while most just casually walked up and down the streets and avenues enjoying Tuesday night’s Taste of South Pasadena, a highly successful event hosted for the seventh straight year by the local Rotary Club.
“It has really become a family event, which has really made it extra fun,” said Marchelle Sellers, coordinator of this year’s event which featured 28 establishments along Fair Oaks Avenue and Mission Street providing food to hundreds of people taking part in the festive evening fundraiser.
In addition, there was a VIP Wine Tasting by Garagiste at the Canoe House for adults to kick off the tasting.
About 850 people were on hand for last year’s event and Sellers said she anticipated 1,200 were expected to fill the streets for Tuesday’s Taste of South Pasadena.
“It’s really great,” she said, noting that about $35,000 will be raised and the funds will support a variety of community projects and grants for nonprofit organizations. Rotary International is also supported to eradicate polio. “You see a lot of the same people, its fun and just a small town with a great community feel to it.”
Showing wristbands, participants paid $40 and didn’t have to walk far before finding fine cuisine from eateries and bakeries to stores serving ice cream and yogurt. For an additional $25 guests were treated to samplings from 10 wineries set up at the Canoe House.
“It’s a great time for neighbors to enjoy a relaxing evening exploring South Pasadena’s downtown and enjoy some terrific food options,” explained local Rotary President Dan Watson. “Taste of South Pasadena is our largest fundraiser that supports local and international projects. It has become one of the city’s premiere community events and has become more and more popular over the years.”
Many simply know the event as “Eats on the Streets.” Watson stressed that the support of the restaurants is what makes the event so successful.
“Without them we wouldn’t have an event,” he said noting that he’s pleased that so many backed it again this year.
Participating establishments included: Canoe House, Shakers, Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza, Cake Sensations, Bristol Farms, Farm Fresh to You, Fair Oaks Pharmacy, Gus’s Barbecue, Café X20, Cookies & Cream, Poke Salad Bar, Oak Tree Inn, Charlie’s Coffee House, Twohey’s Restaurant, Twohey’s Tavern, Yuca’s, Kelley’s Kookies, Tomato Pie Pizza Joint, La Fiesta Grande, Señor Fish, Menchie’s, Aro Latin, Communal, Griffins of Kinsale, Crossings, Mother Moo Creamery, Heirloom and Radhika Modern Indian.
A big THANK YOU to all the people that came out and enjoyed Taste of South Pasadena – Eats on the Streets. And a special thank you to the 28 restaurants and the wineries that participated. The 2017-18 theme for Rotary is “Making a Difference” and your support will allow us to continue to make a difference both locally and internationally.