It’s just a week away: A 28th Annual Taste of Edmonds, a three-day celebration of culinary creativity presented by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce. From Aug. 13-15, this popular annual festival will bring dozens of food vendors, live music and entertainment, arts and crafts booths, beer and wine gardens, kids’ activities, and much more to Snohomish County.

Some 40 food vendors from across the United States, as well as just up the road in Edmonds, will be serving unique cuisine all weekend. Sample and savor a wide range of food, from gourmet delights (blackened salmon, duck confit sliders and authentic “shrimp on the barbie”) to exotic edibles (Filipino pork, samosas and alligator on a stick) to familiar “fair fare” (burgers, ice cream, kettle corn and deep-fried candy bars).

The Frontier Communications Mainstage will feature headliners ASIA Featuring John Payne, making their Edmonds debut on Friday, Aug. 13, at 6:30 p.m. Joining ASIA Featuring John Payne on the Mainstage will be perennial festival favorites Cherry Cherry, Dysfunksion, Stan Boreson, The Islanders and more. The Beer Garden Stage sponsored by Budweiser will feature such performers as The Afrodisiacs, Duffy Bishop, The Spazmatics, The Beatniks, AC/DC tribute band Problem Child, Magic Bus, Liquid Blue, and 97.3 KIRO-FM traffic reporter Shane Cobane’s unforgettable Elvis tribute.

For the youngsters, the Kids’ Stage will feature entertainers such as JP Patches, Buck & Elizabeth, the Reptile Man and Tim Noah. There will also be inflatables, pony rides, a rock wall to climb, model hydroplane racing, free craft activities and booths.
Verizon Wireless’ NASCAR Pit will give attendees the chance to get close to a full-sized replica of the official Verizon Wireless NASCAR vehicle and even change its tires and check under the hood. Dozens of arts & crafts booths will offer original, hand-crafted work, including jewelry, art, photography, clothing, pottery and glassware.

The Taste will be held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 13 and 14, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 15. Activities will take place at Civic Playfield, located at 310 6th Ave. N. in Edmonds.

Admission is $3 for teens and adults, free for kids 12 and under. Pets are not permitted at the festival. Free parking and a free shuttle service will be offered from Edmonds-Woodway High School, located at 212th St. S.W. and 76th Ave. W. Shuttles run every 15 minutes each day, starting at 11 a.m. and ending one-half hour after the festival closes. For more information, call 425- 670-1496 or visit www.EdmondsWA.com. You can also get daily updates via Facebook and you can also follow the Taste on Twitter: @atasteofedmonds