EDMONDS, Washington (STPNS) -- A Taste of Edmonds is back, Aug. 13-15, for its 28th year as one of the top festivals in the region. This year, the festival promises to be even bigger and better, keeping its reputation as festival visitors return year after year.

One reason for the popularity is that the Taste attracts top quality arts & crafts vendors from near and far. Folks come to the Taste to see their favorite booths, as well as high quality new vendors they come to expect at one of the Northwest’s best summer festivals.



A Taste of Edmonds is a three-day celebration of culinary creativity presented by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce. The food alone will keep you coming back time again.

This popular annual festival features dozens of food vendors, live music and entertainment, arts & crafts booths, beer and wine gardens, kids’ activities, and much more.

From natural soaps, lotions and body butter made from Nubian goats’ milk by Windrift Hill of Montana to the hand-blown collectibles of Anderson Glass in La Conner, festival-goers will find many unique items to purchase.

Returning to the Taste again this year is the popular Vintage Ads. The booth offers an enormous collection of vintage advertisements suitable for framing.

Another favorite, coming back for their 17th year, is EKA Gifts of the Earth.

Based in Nevada, Larry and Mary Kay Birum bring an impressive display of hand pounded copper wall hangings, tables, pots, platters, sinks, sconces, and vases every year. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind.

“We can make the design, but the copper decides what colors it will be,” Larry said.

These and many other crafty artists will be at the Taste showing off their wares, discussing technique with interested onlookers and helping customers find the item that’s just right.

A run down of the scheduled booths and entertainment is mind-boggling:

Food Booths: 40 food booths featuring a wide range of palatable delights.

Arts & Crafts Booths: More than 70 quality vendors offering original hand-crafted work, including jew¬elry, art, photography, clothing, pottery, glass, leather items, & many other crafts.

Children’s Area: Features lots of inflatable rides, pony rides, rock wall, model hydroplane racing, free craft activities & booths that cater to the wee ones.

Entertainment: Three stages of fabulous entertainment...

1. The Beer Garden Stage sponsored by Budweiser and welcomed by KISS 106.1 will feature such bands as The Afrodisiacs, Duffy Bishop, Spazmatics, The Beatniks, Shane Cobane as Elvis, Problem Child (AC/DC Tribute), MAGIC BUS and Liquid Blue from San Diego.

2. The Frontier Fios Main Stage is welcomed by KOMO Newsradio and will have ASIA featuring John Payne (Heat of the Moment), The Main Attraction, No Rules featuring members of the Sonics, several world beat bands, and Neil Diamond tribute act Cherry Cherry.

3. The Kid’s Stage welcomed by KMPS Radio will feature artists such as JP Patches, Buck & Elizabeth, Kid’s Karaoke, Reptile Man and Tim Noah.

Special Attractions:

Free Bus Shuttle: Coldwell Banker Bain Realty of Edmonds will be making it easy to visit the Taste by drop¬ping folks off at the festival entrance on 7th Ave.  Parking and shuttle is free!  Just look for the yellow school buses. The buses will depart and return to Edmonds-Woodway High School every 15 minutes beginning 11 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Meadowdale High School Class of 1990 – Unofficial 20-Year Party: Begins at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, in the beer garden.

Edmonds/Woodway High School Class of 2000 – Unofficial 10-Year Party and Lynnwood High School Class of 1980 unofficial 30-Year Party: Begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, in the beer garden

Fair Rewards will have a special kiosk. Participants log in on the computers and receive discounts from partici¬pating Taste of Edmonds vendors and free gifts.

KMPS Radio will be live on site from the Kidzone Friday 3 to 7 p.m. with Tony Thomas. Free face painting for the kids while Tony is on the air at the Taste.

Black Pine Spas will have their 60’ by 20’ interactive display on site featuring their latest in home spa innovations.

Tulalip Casino & Resort-Quilceda Creek Casino will be on site to spread the luck. Check out the prizes and give-aways!

Miss Washington USA and Miss Washington Teen USA contestants will visit Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., anxious to sign autographs and answer questions.

Washington’s Lottery will be on site selling all your favorite games and will have 2nd chance drawings through¬out the three days.

PCC Natural Market is hosting the Wine Garden. Enjoy a glass of wine in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Australian Outback Experience international touring show features animals, music, stories and souvenirs from down under.

The Kashi Day Of Change 2010 Tour featuring Burt’s Bees encourages people to live a health¬ier lifestyle. It will feature free hand massages using Burt’s Bees products, natural living education, and sampling of Kashi products.

KOMO News Radio will have a “Be a Broadcaster for a Day” set up where listeners can stop by their booth, put the headphones on, get behind the mic and record a weather, traffic, or sports report. They’ll have the laptops with them so they can e-mail their report at the end of the festival.

Verizon Wireless Show Car Tour lets festival guests get a real NASCAR Pit experience by racing the clock in changing tires on the #12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger show car.

Xbox 360 Kinect Experience Tour invites guests to play on the latest Microsoft creation with sur¬round sound.

The Dunkin’ Turbo Big Taste Tour will feature new products to sample from Dunkin’ Do¬nuts.

Festival staff have also created more covered dining areas for folks to eat under cover from sun or rain this year.

A Taste of Edmonds will be held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 13 and 14, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 15. Activities take place at Civic Playfield, 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, 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 the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce at (425) 670-1496 or visit www.EdmondsWA.com.