On Saturday, March 23, attendees of the second Taste of Walnut enjoyed an array of tasty foods and beverages as they roamed around the grounds of Suzanne Park.
Attendees could be seen enjoying a bright sunny day roaming the event with smiles on their faces trying a variety of different foods and sipping on beverages provided by 22 local restaurants.
The Taste of Walnut stands as a cherished annual culinary experience, jointly presented by the City of Walnut and local non-profit organizations. Patrons could indulge in the finest craft beer and wine selections all set against the backdrop of live music, creating an unforgettable experience while also contributing to the support of a local non-profit organization.
According to Robert Pacheco, WVEF chairman emeritus, all proceeds collected during this event goes hand-in-hand with the Walnut Valley Education Foundation’s mission “to help the teachers, give scholarships to students and do the best we can to enhance the education for the children in the area.”
Pacheco graciously thanked the city for being supportive of the community and for a wonderful turnout.
“The city has been very helpful and they are very encouraging. They’re so enthused about this event and they now make it an annual city,” Pacheco said.
Guests were first welcomed at the check-in stands where staff confirmed attendees’ presale tickets online prior to the event. Presale tickets for adults were priced at $50 and students ages 16-18 years old were $20.
If not already purchased, guests could buy their tickets on the day of for just a slightly higher price of $60 for an adult while children six years and younger were given free admission.
In order to provide proof of a ticket, guests were provided a wristband which is required to receive goodies from the different booths. A different wristband was provided to guests 21 and older after showing proof of a valid driver’s license to be granted access to an adults only section.
Some featured food tents included Aroma Craft Coffee, Clearwater Bagel, Donut Tree, Mr. Pho, Poki Maki by Mr. 7, Scoopz Premium Ice Cream and XLB Dumpling Bar.
Apart from the alcohol, there was a wide variety of different cuisines to try from including options for vegans and vegetarians.
One of the many options attendees could sample was a sweet beverage of Passion Fruit Tea to quench their thirst or the bright, yellow Mango Pomelo Sago from Qyuancha Tea shop.
If guests were feeling adventurous, they could try some plant-based jerky from the local Heartland Cafe & Mart or chicken tocino from the Native Fields booth.
Guests who craved something sweet or salty could stroll their way over towards the Duke Bakery booth where they could sample a wide variety of seasoned and stuffed breads.
Another successful year of this event underscores Walnut’s transformation from merely a commuter city to a thriving destination.
Jamie Bumia, deputy director of community services, hoped to continue growing the community through social eatery events that bond and connect the city of Walnut closer.
“I think that we’re looking at the demographic shifting, we still have a lot of traditional events that we do but this is kind of something new that we can say that hey now we’re more comparable to larger cities around us,” Bumia said.
“Walnut’s getting on the map and we’ve done a really good job at pushing it forward,” she added.
Community events like the Taste of Walnut highlight the willingness to support local businesses and expand their culinary palette to alternate food offerings outside the scope of your typical McDonalds or KFC. With hopes and optimism to make the event an annual tradition, the city of Walnut remains open to making the event a community staple.