The eighth annual Taste of Clermont will be returning to Batavia Friday, Aug. 12 and Saturday, Aug. 13.
The event will be held along Main Street after being held in Eastgate for the past two years.
Terry Morris, president of the Village Association of Batavia, which produces the Taste as its main fund-raiser, said that the association board decided that Batavia is a much better location for the event.
“Main Street has a certain feel to it, a lot more ambience,” Morris said. “People can walk to it and the parking is easy – I like it much better.”
Morris said that there are other changes being made this year that will be well-received by the public.
After three years of experimenting with an entrance fee, there will be no charge to enter this year’s Taste.
Morris also said that the layout of the booths and attractions will be different this year.
“The event has been too spread out,” Morris said. “This year we’re going to go from 3rd Street to just past Haglage Park.”
Barb Haglage, co-chair of the Taste of Clermont Committee, said that there will be various seating areas set up at the event in addition to a 30’ by 60’ tent at Haglage Park.
“We hope that this year’s Taste of Clermont will have a nice relaxing atmosphere for families and everyone who joins us this year,” Haglage said.
Live music will be one of the main attractions at the Taste. This year’s headliners are The Del-Vikings and Rare Earth.
There will also be a variety of food booths, a KidZone featuring Guitar Hero, a climbing wall, games and other activities, and a Teen Zone for older kids.
There will be a car show from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday and a motorcycle show on Friday, a corn hole tournament, and many interesting booths.
“This is not like the Taste of Cincinnati,” Morris said. “It’s the Taste of Clermont, which is an all around festival, not just 100 restaurants.”
The Taste will be a two-day event this year, running from 5 p.m. – midnight Friday, and 11 a.m. – midnight Saturday. Morris said that eliminating Sunday will help keep the focus on what is best about the Taste.
“Saturday night is always the pinnacle of the event,” Morris said. “We’re going to concentrate on our best days and try to improve on what we do best.”
Haglage said that a new feature of the Taste will be “Demo Day.” At this event, businesses will be able to give demonstrations, from 15 minutes to an hour, on the topic of their choice. Businesses must register with Taste staff before hand. Interested businesses should call Pam McKiernan at (513) 735-2393.
In the coming weeks, more information about participating restaurants, vendors, and musical performers will become available and will be posted online at www.tasteofclermont.com. For more information, email info@vaob.org.