BRADENTON — People meandered through downtown Saturday, checking out the sights and smells of the Taste of Manatee.
“This year, we have really expanded. We have a lot more food vendors and arts vendors,” said June Barber, volunteer coordinator at the event.
This is the 23rd year the Taste of Manatee has taken place, but it’s the third year the Rotary Club of West Bradenton has hosted the event.
The event, which features 23 food vendors this year as well as approximately 20 craft vendors, continues from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. Admission is free and food is purchased through tickets. Tickets are $1 per ticket. Vendors determine the number of tickets accepted for food, she said.
Sherri Coulter, of Sarasota, sat with her two mastiffs, Bo and Dutchess, waiting to eat pizza.
“I came for the people and the food. It’s just a place where I can go and take the dogs,” she said.
Coulter was expected to be one of approximately 10,000 people attending the event this weekend.
The event allows restaurants to keep half the profits, and local charities receive the other half, according to Rotary organizers.
Last year’s event raised an estimated $20,000 for about 38 nonprofits that each received between $500 and $2,500, said Lynn Lineman, president of the Rotary Club of West Bradenton.
“Every dollar we get at this event goes to a local nonprofit or charity,” he said. “There’s a severe need. That’s what’s so nice about this.”
Mee Grant was clad in Thai silk Saturday afternoon serving Pad Thai and chicken and broccoli from Thai Lotus Thai Restaurant, 3633 Cortez Road.
“A lot of people have asked for menus and asked where we are,” said Grant, noting the restaurant recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in Bradenton.
She said the Taste of Manatee allows the restaurant to reach new customers. The restaurant has a booth with ornate wooden carving that surrounds the tent area.
“We’ve seen our regular customers here,” she said. “Then we have others who ask what’s the difference between Thai and Chinese.”
The restaurant routinely offers traditional Thai dancing Fridays and Saturdays.
Today the restaurant is expected to showcase a traditional Thai performance at 2:25 p.m. on the community stage featuring Tida Duangdao singing and Lena Choo dancing.
A range of community performances will be presented at Taste of Manatee from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. today, including cheerleading, twirling and dance acts.
Musical performances include: 11 to 11:45 a.m. Tom and Dave Band, noon to 2 p.m. The Gumbo Boogie Band, 2 to 4 p.m. Jennifer & The New Digs and from 4 to 6 p.m. KoKo Ray & the Soul Providers.
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