Despite the rainy weather conditions, Crown Point community members poured into Bulldog Park, exhilarated for yet another year of Taste of Crown Point. The opening night of the two-day event was enlivened by small businesses and restaurants from all over the Crown Point area, with live music from Kasim & Josh, Mr. Funnyman, and Echoes of Pompeii.
Individuals came to enjoy foods of all kinds from a variety of restaurants, such as Ricochet Tacos, Provecho, Square Roots, La Quesadilla, and many more.
The draw of the many lingering aromas and the promise of delicious Crown Point food was enough to keep community members in the event during tonight's downpour- even if it meant camping out in tents in front of the stage or just keeping dry under the pavilion.
“Taste of Crown Point is a fantastic effort to get the many residents of Crown Point together. Events like these are a great way to get people out of their homes and with the community and really enjoy what Crown Point has to offer,” Diana Bosse, Crown Point Special Events Superintendent, said.
More than 20 vendors set up tents inside of the Franciscan Health Pavilion to sell goods- from freshly squeezed lemonade from Main Squeeze to soft pretzels from Kevin’s Pretzel Factory. Many of the vendors are small restaurants from around the area, and Lauren Bordis, an employee of Kevin’s Pretzel Factory, believes Taste of Crown Point is the perfect way to connect with local community members through food.
“We’re a local business out of Crown Point, so we were honored that Crown Point would have a small business like us here with all of these other awesome restaurants from The Square. I think it just helps people become aware of all of the different restaurants and fun places we have out here. It’s just a fun way to get together and have a good time,” Bordis said.
The event has food and entertainment for just about anyone, of any age, with vendors from Skin Colour Events to True BBQ & Whiskey Bar. Entry was free for all in attendance and payment was only required for any food purchased from each vendor.
Bosse emphasizes the need to have free events, like Taste of Crown Point, to ensure a sense of community for everyone, from kids to adults – even with the rainy weather.
“If they want to partake in the vendors, they can do that. But, if they don’t and just want to listen to the music, it’s completely free to do that. The attendance under these weather conditions shows just how much the residents support their community and their local businesses. They want to enjoy what our community has to offer,” Bosse said.
The second day of Taste of Crown Point is still on for tomorrow, July 16 from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., and will have performances from Zodiac, Nawty, and Women of Motown from 4:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. Stay tuned for updates and local events from the City of Crown Point at https://www.facebook.com/CityofCrownPointIN.
