Taste of Alpharetta Offers More Than Food

Taste of Alpharetta 2012 is just three days away, coming to downtown Alpharetta on Thursday, May 10 from 5-10 p.m. With more than 50 restaurants participating there will be many different kinds of cuisines to taste, but there's more to the event than just eating.

Musical performances by Beatles and R.E.M. tribute bands will entertain the crowds, while a dozen chefs will compete in the culinary competition on another stage nearby. The kids can have fun in not just one but three Fun Zones will provide entertainment including rock climbing, inflatables, Guitar Hero, face painting, balloon art, sand art and many other activities.

Buying sheets of tickets to exchange for tastes of the different food samples should be easy, with five ticket booths spread around downtown.

1. One will be next to the information booth in front of the downtown mini park at the intersection of Main Street and Milton Avenue.
2. Parking at Milton Center? You'll find a ticket booth as you enter the Taste area at Canton and Old Canton streets.
3. Taking the shuttle to the event? You'll find another ticket booth at the intersection of Roswell and Old Roswell streets.
4. Another will be across from the music stage by the Corner Deli at Milton Avenue and Roswell Street.
5. And the final booth will be on Old Roswell Street at the entrance to the public parking lot across the street from Smokejack.

Music Stage Schedule (Located on Milton Avenue):

• 5 p.m.            Opening Ceremonies
• 5:15 p.m        The REMakes, R.E.M. Tribute Band
• 7 p.m.            Mayor and City Council / Introduction of Sponsors
• 7:30 p.m.       THE RETURN, Beatles Tribute Band
• 8:15 p.m.       Culinary Competition Awards
• 8:45 p.m.       THE RETURN, Beatles Tribute Band

Culinary Competitions Stage (Located on Roswell Street):

From 5 - 7:30 pm Culinary Competitions will pair top area chefs against one another in contests for Best Salad/Appetizer, Best Fast Casual Entree, Best Fine Dining Entrée, Best Dessert, Best Presentation and Best Booth.

Ballots for the People's Choice Awards will be available at the stage until 7 p.m. The restaurant with the most votes wins the People’s Choice Award, so stop by the stage!

FUN ZONES (located on Old Roswell and Old Canton Streets):

Titanic, Fire Truck, Cars 5 in 1 Combo, Monster Jeep, 24’ Dual Extreme Slide, Dragon Obstacle Course, Double Decker Bus, Pirate Ship Adventure, Jurassic Adventure, Noah’s Ark, Carousel Bounce, Popcorn, Hoops, Titanic, Temple of Doom Obstacle Course, Speed Throw, Ironman Obstacle Course, 24’ Dual Slide, Adventure course II, Adventure Course I and King Kong’s Revenge, Guitar Hero, Train, Rock Climbing and much more! Children can also enjoy wacky hair, face painting, balloon art, henna art, sand art and more.