By Shelby Clark Petkus
The fifth annual Taste of Downtown, held July 19 in the heart of Michigan's capital city, Lansing, will once again bring the heart of good food to Michigan foodies. The event includes an afternoon of food samples, over 100 different wines from around the world and live entertainment on an outdoor stage.
Of the food samplings, over 40 restaurants, pubs and cafes will be offering samples. Featured restaurants include Clara's Lansing Station, Midtown Brewing Co., Firehouse Subs, Grand Traverse Pie Company, P Squared Wine Bar and Bistro, Troppo, Taven on the Sq., Juice Nation and even Jimmy John's.
In addition to the expansive list of wines, Taste of Downtown will have a selection of Coca-Cola products for sale and many handcrafted micro-brews, such as Marshall, Michigan's Dark Horse Brewing Co.
Entertainment for the day consists of Taylor Taylor at 3 p.m. The 17-year-old Lansing native performs jazzy-pop stylings on her guitar. Mighty Medicine follows with their soul-rock band fusion of pop, blues, jazz and reggae.
Bringing a unique energy as they perform top 40 country hits and classics, Shotguns and Violins will also perform. BOP(harvey) finishes the day's live music with their energetic show; the band's graced the stages of the Clinton Inauguration and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."
The fun and tastes continue after 8 p.m. with the Taste of Downtown Official After Party at downtown's only wine bar, P Squared. The wine bar and bistro is at 107 S. Washington Square, Lansing. For more information, visit www.p2winebar.com.
Taste of Downtown runs 3-8 p.m. on July 19 in the 100 block of S. Washington Square in downtown Lansing. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 closer to the event. $5 children's tickets are also available for visitors 12 and under. Children under the age of 2 are free.
Each ticket comes with four food tickets, a keepsake Taste of Downtown wine tasting glass and six wine sampling tickets (with valid I.D.). Each child's ticket includes two food sample tickets. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Downtown Lansing Inc. Office, 401 S. Washington Square.
For more information, email [email protected] or visit http://www.tasteofdowntown.org.
