Take a Taste of the Shoreline June 24

Food, fun, and entertainment are on the menu for this year's Taste the Shoreline at Guilford on Sunday, June 24 at the Guilford Fairgrounds.

Sponsored by Guilford Savings Bank and hosted by the Guilford Chamber of Commerce, this popular outdoor event is an annual kick-off to summer that spices things up with a wide offering of tasty bites from some of the shoreline's most creative and tempting restaurants and food vendors.

Admission, parking, and entertainment are free, with offerings inside for sale from 15 (at last count) shoreline-based restaurants. Top off the heaping helping of food choices with beverages for sale from local vendors of beer and wine, add in a full day of live entertainment on the main stage and a business expo to check out, and sprinkle in some children's events (with prizes for all participants) and, voilà, Taste the Shoreline at Guilford is complete.

"We have some restaurants returning and some brand new this year. We have fan favorites like Rancheros returning with pork carnitas and new places like the Meat House from Branford," said Michele Call of the Guilford Chamber, adding, "We request restaurants provide taste-sized portions and taste-sized prices!"

Restaurants in the mix (and just a sampling of what they'll offer to taste) include Perk on Church (crêpes, coffee, smoothies), Rancheros (pork carnitas, gazpacho soup), The Meat House (to be announced), Guilford Food Center (buffalo chicken tenders, beef brisket), Bishops Farm Market (strawberry shortcake, kettle corn), Petrillo's (sausage and pepper sandwiches), Som Siam (pad Thai), Mad Gourmet (lobster macaroni and cheese), Little Jimmie's Italian Ice (funky flavors including mango), Nick and Tony's (stuffed breads), Ayuthai (drunken noodles, spring rolls), and the Naples pizza truck.

"The idea is to come and try a taste of these restaurants," said Call. "We get them out in the public so people can try these great tastes in one place, without committing to a whole dinner. Then, the next time you think of having sausage and peppers, you'll go to Petrillo's?or the next time you think Mexican, you'll go to Rancheros."

Clinton's Chamard Vineyards and Guilford's Bishop's Farm Winery will be selling samples of their vintages at Taste while beer will be sold through Dichello Distributors, a local restaurant supplier.

The 21-and-under set will have plenty to enjoy as well, with a host of entertainment including The Beatles A to Z, the day's closing act (6:30 p.m.) appearing courtesy of Shoreline Arts Alliance. Ahead of the Fab Four tribute band are locals Rock Bottom (opening the day's event), followed by locals Big Whig. A live performance featuring a young artist from last year's Guilford's Got Talent contest (sponsored by Guilford Youth & Family Services and Guilford Parks & Recreation) takes the stage at 4:30 p.m.

Taste the Shoreline at Guilford also features a Business Expo, Furry Friends Photo Contest, and the popular "Dine, Work, and Play in Guilford" raffle with amazing local prizes.

"We also have a whole kiddie section with bouncy houses and two Scavenger Hunts. Last year we had 300 entries in the hunt," said Call.

The two hunts take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., with two grand prizes (one for each hunt). All kids who participate will receive a prize from the prize bucket, added Call.

A respite tent will provide shelter and a place to relax while spending the day. In fact, for those who really love to enjoy dining outdoors in Guilford, there is no better locale during the weekend of June 23 and June 24 than the Guilford Fair Grounds as the Taste on Sunday will follow the annual Guilford Rotary Lobster Fest which takes place on Saturday, June 23 on the grounds.

"We thought it would be a great idea to piggy back with Guilford Rotary's Lobster Fest and make it a food festival weekend in Guilford. People are always looking for something to do on the weekends," said Call.

Taste the Shoreline at Guilford is Sunday, June 24, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Guilford Fairgrounds, Lovers Lane at Stonehouse Lane. For more information, call 203-453-9677 or email info@guilford.ct.com.