If you dream of eating from more than 20 restaurants and food trucks in one day, then prepare to have your dreams to come true.
The fifth annual Taste of Okotoks will bring 22 local restaurants and food trucks to the downtown core this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown restaurant Yume (dream in Japanese) Sushi will be sampling California rolls, tuna, salmon and ebi (shrimp) sushi and miso soup – an item they are adding to their Taste of Okotoks menu this year.
Yume Sushi owner Hayan Feng said it is the third time they have served up their food at the Taste of Okotoks.
“We have lots of fun,” she said.
The event allows people to buy sample-sized menu items with tickets. Tickets go for $1. Most items are around $3 and the most a sample can go for is $5.
Feng will be selling her nigiri sushi for a $1 a piece and will charge $3 for a 4-piece California roll and $5 for eight pieces.
She said the Taste of Okotoks is a great way to introduce people to their restaurant.
“I think its good cause if people don’t know you are here and then they know,” Feng said.
Last year Feng said they collect 1,400 tickets and they hope to do even more business this year. She said a rainy afternoon in 2016 shut down the festivities early, but this Saturday’s forecast of 24C with a few clouds is perfect for a full day of snacking.
Okotoks Community Events coordinator Mark Doherty said the event has been growing every year and the attendance has almost doubled from around 7,000 since its inception five years ago to 12,000 last year.
“Whenever you combine food and music it’s a great thing,” Doherty said.
There will be a variety of food from beef on a bun to Mr. Spuds famous fried fish, lasagna from Pizzaberg and cold tuna tacos served by Browns Social House. There will be protein shakes for those looking for a healthy drink and The Big Dipper will be serving up ice cream for those looking for some desert or a sweet treat.
Doherty said the diversity of food means there is something for everybody.
“There’s something for every palate,” he said.
Tickets can be bought ahead of time at the Okotoks Art Gallery or the Okotoks Rec Centre. There will also be ticket sales on Elizabeth Street on the day of the event. There are no refunds for unused tickets.
For more information go to www.okotoks.ca/discover-okotoks/things-do
Taste of Okotoks
Restaurants and food trucks selling sample-sized menu items for 1-5 tickets each. Where: Elizabeth Street, downtown OkotoksWhen: July 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Tickets: $1 per ticket, Okotoks Art Gallery and Okotoks Rec Centre and on site during the event.
