With dry, warm weather predicted for the weekend, large crowds are predicted for the annual Taste of Buffalo along Delaware Avenue. Though good weather boosts attendance, the festival's main attraction remains the food offerings.
"This year we have 57 restaurants and food trucks, 13 of which are new," said Laura Jacobs, chair of the 2015 Taste of Buffalo.
The event has also added ten shade spaces which are "are set up throughout the festival grounds. So, you can enjoy your food under a tent on a cocktail table. (With) the bright sunny skies, you need a little bit of shade down there on Delaware."
This year marks the tenth year since the Taste of Buffalo moved from its original location along Main Street to Delaware Avenue.
Jacobs offered a comparison.
"There's a lot more room (along Delaware). There's not the Metro Rail tracks, for strollers and people walking, we don't have to worry about those," Jacons said during an interview on WBFO's Morning Edition.
"But it's just a great backdrop to have City Hall, which is one of Buffalo's iconic buildings, right there in the backdrop for the Taste."
Restaurants prepare for a busy weekend of serving to thousands of visitors to the Taste of Buffalo. Jacobs says vendors need to boost their supplies on the weekend if they win any of the festival competitions.
"We have 15 awards that are determined on Saturday morning. A group of judges are made up of local media personalities, elected officials, key sponsors and other special guests that go around to try all of the food offerings at the Taste."
Some of the awards are for the best dessert, best meat item and for the best "healthy options."
The Taste of Buffalo runs Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm and on Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm.
