Cutler Bay’s popular food and fun event, “Taste of the Bay,” is scheduled for Feb. 24 and organizers are ready for area food vendors and volunteers to get on board.
The festival debuted in 2011, presented by the Cutler Bay Business Association, and returned the following year to even larger crowds. It takes place at the Palmetto Bay Village Center, 18001 Old Cutler Rd., on the edge of Cutler Bay, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cyndi Rogg, vice president of the CBBA, said that “Taste of the Bay,” an event originally conceived to bring restaurant businesses and their prospective customers together, is a great community event for the whole family. It also is a fundraiser benefiting area schools.
“We’re offering a playground for children and lots of kiddie activities,” Rogg said. “There’ll be local food vendors and business vendors. The proceeds go to help local schools. We bought $5,000 worth of paper last year to donate to our area schools. We had 5,000 to 6,000 visitors last year during the course of the day. We have live music and a belly dancing show. We’re going to have a car show, too, so there’ll be a full day of fun, activities and food.”
A dozen area restaurants usually participate, featuring cuisine to please every foodie, from seafood to barbecue, burgers and pizza, Italian and Asian food and more. There always are several live bands made up of area musicians and a deejay to keep the music going between sets.
There will be plenty of free parking at the center, and even a special parking lot for bicycles. Tickets can be obtained free ahead of time from the participating restaurants, or bought at the gate on the day of the event.
Vendors who wish to participate in the annual event may call 305-815-1536 for more information. Volunteers are needed as well.
