Local chefs are creating new tasty menus for the upcoming 19th Annual Taste of Alpharetta. The City of Alpharetta eagerly prepares for restaurants to set their tables along Old Milton Parkway at Wills Park on Thursday, May 14 from 5 to10pm.
To provide enough delicious samples for over 60,000 attendees, restaurants prepare over 360,000 “Taste of” delicacies. Menus will include BBQ pork sliders, crabmeat cheese rolls, basil chicken salad, chocolate covered strawberries and much more!
From its beginning 19 years ago with only four restaurants in Milton Square Park across from Alpharetta City Hall, the event has become the largest “Taste of” festival in the South. Now an annual tradition for 60,000 families, foodies and festival-goers, Taste of Alpharetta showcases over 60 local restaurants ranging from 5 Seasons North, to Wildflour, to Schakolad Chocolate Factory.
Participating restaurants serve up an amazing array of appetizers, entrees and desserts from their menus for just $.50- 3 per sample. Tickets may be purchased on-site the evening of the Taste or pre-purchased at Alpharetta City Hall.
“The Taste of Alpharetta is one of our city’s most anticipated events,” said Mayor Arthur Letchas. “Each year our committee invites new restaurants and seeks entertainment for the entire community to enjoy.”
Please save gas and use our free shuttle system. Park and ride shuttle options will be available at Alpharetta City Hall (on South Main Street), Publix Super Market (on Old Milton Parkway at Haynes Bridge), and Milton Center (the old Milton High School at Milton Avenue).
Admission, shuttle and parking for the 19th Annual Taste of Alpharetta is FREE. Park and walk options available at the Wills Park Equestrian Center (on Wills Road) and Alpharetta Community Center (on Roswell Street).
The Culinary Arts and Music Stage will feature chef competitions from 5 to 7 pm following with live music from 7 to 10 pm. Come and spread your blanket for a full night of entertainment in Wills Park.
Top chefs pair against one another in contests for Best Appetizer/Salad, Best Fast Casual Entree, Best Fine Dining Entrée, Best Dessert and Best Presentation. Judges will be Atlanta Cuisine editor, Tom Maicon; freelance restaurant writer who contributes to the Atlanta Journal Constitution and WGST, Helen Cauley; director of Salud! Cooking & Lifestyle School at Whole Foods Market, Ashley Brooke; and food writer, cooking show host, and food editor for North Fulton Living Magazine, Hans Rueffert.
Attendees can vote for their favorite restaurant at the Culinary Arts and Music Stage, designating only one restaurant as the Taste of Alpharetta People’s Choice recipient. Additional judges will walk restaurant row to award the Best Booth presentation.
After dining at all of their favorite restaurants in one night, Taste of Alpharetta families can look forward to playing at Wacky World and on the dozens of fun inflatable activities, Guitar Hero, rock climbing, trains and more in the Fun Zone. By the Lion’s Club pavilion at Wacky World, the Reptile Wrangler will feature educational reptile shows all evening plus exhibits. Children can also enjoy wacky hair, face painting, balloon art, and a full farmyard with pony carousal. Metro Atlanta radio stations will add to the evening’s entertainment.
The 19th Annual Taste of Alpharetta is proud to have City of Alpharetta, Comcast, Publix Super Market Charities, Inc., as our Premier Sponsors; AT&T Real Yellow Pages and Revue & News of APPEN Newspapers as our Platinum Sponsors; ADP, Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau, DeVry University/Georgia, Georgia Power Company, and Sprint as our Gold Sponsors; Costco, Eisen Family Chiropractic, Everyday Waterproofing, Flagstar Bank, Taylor Construction Company, and The New York Times and Vantage Card Service, Inc. as our Silver Sponsors.
For more information, visit www.alpharetta.ga.us or phone (678) 297-6000 ext. 1006. Photos, event map, and additional information available upon request (678) 297-6078.
Labels: 2009, city of alpharetta, may 14, milton square city park, old milton parkway, Taste of Alpharetta, Wills Park
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 7:58 AM
Hundreds of area residents – or maybe even thousands – will troop out to Alpharetta's Historic Downtown for the 31st annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration Sunday, Dec. 7.
The event takes place at Milton Square City Park at Milton Avenue, with entertainment beginning at 5 p.m.
The Christmas Tree Lighting was recently recognized as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.
"Alpharetta's Christmas tree is a live tree, and we are very proud to continue to celebrate this tradition with the community" said Mayor Arthur Letchas. "It's such a magical night for the children and their parents."
Letchas and his wife, Sally, will read aloud the children's holiday classic "Twas the Night Before Christmas" as part of the festivities.
A holiday entertainment program will lead up to the lighting of 45-foot live tree with more than 10,000 white twinkling lights at approximately 5:30 p.m., followed by the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on an Alpharetta fire truck.
The entertainment program will feature renowned singer and songwriter James Casto. Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department's Rhythm n' Shoes Dance Program also will perform.
Children will get a chance to visit with Santa in the Milton Square Park gazebo and share their wishes. Parents may take their own photos.
Children can enjoy free holiday craft activities, and the entire family can snuggle together for an old-time horse draw trolley ride with Black Magic Carriage through Historic Downtown Alpharetta.
The city of Alpharetta will serve complimentary punch and cookies in the park, and the Starbucks Cheer Patrol will warm the evening with free coffee. The Alpharetta Welcome Center invites families to drop in for holiday refreshments, and the Alpharetta Historical Society's Log Cabin will be open for folks to visit and enjoy hot cider and cookies.
The Cannery on Old Roswell Street will offer the fourth in a series of Alpharetta ornaments hand-made from Georgia clay. Other shops and restaurants of Historic Downtown Alpharetta will also feature holiday activities and specials during the Christmas Tree Lighting.
The 31st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is free to the public. For information call 678-297-6078.
Labels: christmas tree, city of alpharetta, december 7, milton square city park, tree lighting
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 8:33 AM
All the magic of the Christmas season will light up downtown Alpharetta at the 31st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2008. The celebration will take place in the Milton Square City Park at Milton Avenue and Main Street in Historic Downtown Alpharetta. Creating Christmas memories for area families for over 30 years, Alpharetta’s tree lighting has been recently recognized as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.
From its beginnings in 1977 with 100 people gathered around a 6-foot live blue spruce tree, Alpharetta’s annual holiday event has grown to 3,000+ people celebrating the lighting of the now 45-foot tree. The tree was moved from behind City Hall across the street to the Milton Square City Park in 1980 to accommodate the event’s fantastic growth.
“The Christmas Tree Lighting celebrates family and community,” said Mayor Arthur Letchas. “It is an Alpharetta event that brings people out to enjoy simple traditions for all ages.” Mayor Letchas and his wife Sally will read aloud the children’s holiday classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas as part of the festivities.
Alpharetta’s Christmas tree will come aglow with 10,000 twinkling lights at approximately 5:30 pm, just before the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on a City of Alpharetta fire truck, which has been a tradition since the first tree lighting celebration. The Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration will offer the opportunity for children to visit with Santa in the Milton Square Park gazebo. A volunteer will be on hand to help take photos, or parents may take their own photos. Children can also enjoy free holiday crafts while waiting for Santa.
An entertainment program will feature live music by James Casto and Matt Blanchard and holiday dance performances by the City of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department Rhythm n’ Shoes Dance Program. Alpharetta Christian Academy Children’s Chorus, St. James United Methodist Church “Angel Kisses” dance program, strolling carolers, elves, and other entertainment will add to the charm of the evening. Black Magic Carriage horse drawn trolley rides through Historic Downtown Alpharetta will be offered free of charge.
Starbucks will warm the evening with complimentary hot chocolate and coffee drinks. Smokejack, A Southern Grill will be available for dinner fare. Families are also invited to drop in at the Alpharetta Welcome Center for refreshments. The horse draw trolley will drop off at the Future Farmers of America log cabin for free historical tours, cider and cookies provided by the Alpharetta Historical Society. The shops and restaurants of Historic Downtown Alpharetta will also feature holiday activities and specials during the Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration.
The 31st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration is free to the public. Free parking is available at City Hall and Milton Center (the old Milton High School). The event owes its success, in part, to the generous volunteerism of the North Fulton Jaycees, Dr. James J. Awbrey’s office staff, Northwestern & Hopewell Middle School Jr. Beta Clubs, Milton High School Key Club, and Milton High School Interact Club. For more information, visit www.alpharetta.ga.us or phone 678-297-6078.
Labels: city of alpharetta, holiday tree lighting, milton square city park
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 2:48 PM
