Get A Taste of Durham This Weekend

There are lots of Memorial Day activities happening in Raleigh-Durham this weekend, but few of them are likely to attract more people than the Taste of Durham Festival, which is happening tomorrow (May 24), from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

The 4th annual Taste of Durham Festival is likely to be one of this weekend's biggest events: last year's Taste of Durham Festival attracted over 18, 000 people, and this year's is expected to be at least as well-attended.

The Taste of Durham Festival is designed to allow visitors to sample foods from 20 participating Durham-based restaurants (some independently-owned, some part of large chains, all with booths set up at the festival venue) while enjoying live entertainment. Festival-goers can enjoy music and dance performances, cooking demonstrations by local chefs and art and science-themed kids activities. The Taste of Durham Festival also has wine and beer tasting events.

The Taste of Durham Festival no longer takes place in downtown Durham. Instead, it is held at the Imperial Center Business Park, located at exit 282 (Page Rd Exit) off of I-40. The festival moved to the Imperial Center location last year in order to accommodate large crowds. The move drew criticism from many of last year's attendees, who claimed that the huge office park parking lot where the festival was held lacked charm.

Admission is $4.00 in advance, or $6 at the door. Advance tickets are available online (you can print them directly from your computer) or at Harris Teeter locations throughout the Triangle. Tickets purchased online have a convenience fee of $1.00 each.

Food, wine and beer tastings are not included in the ticket price. In order to sample food and beverages at the festival, visitors will have to purchase "festival coins" (sold in bags of 10 for $10). Food and beverage samples and concessions will cost between 1 and 6 coins (dollars).