Photo Courtesy of Taste of Music City Festival
Per Matt
Nashville’s largest food and drink festival is celebrates its 13th-year anniversary this weekend with a celebration of foods, drinks and music.
On Saturday, June 20th, from 5 to 9 p.m. Public Square Park will host the Taste of Music City Festival. Attendees are invited for unlimited samples of gourmet foods, artisan drinks (from locally brewed craft beers, to moonshine, mixed drinks and wines from around the world), as well as multiple live bands performing throughout the evening.
Previewing the Taste of Music City Festival, Regional Event Director Candace Price gives the inside scoop for enjoying the main events at the festival:
Photo Courtesy of Candace Price
How would you describe the Taste of Music City Festival to someone who hasn’t attended before?
– “An amazing collection of food and beverages to sample in a beautiful setting at Public Square Park.”
What’s new for the event in 2015?
– “So much is new! New restaurants, new beverages to try… We have brands that use this event to launch their products into the market and let consumers know about things that aren’t even here yet. Example, Another Broken Egg, a new breakfast, brunch, lunch restaurant opening in July on Commerce Street will be there letting people know that they are coming soon. Pickers Vodka, Tennessee’s First Craft Vodka is new this year and from the local distillery that makes Whisper Creek and Pennington’s Strawberry Rye. All-new music this year with jazz, pop and a DJ for the first time, mixing some classic country tunes with hip hop. A wide variety of new things this year!”
Taste of Music City Festival features food, drinks and music. What would you recommend attendees visit first?
– “I would start at whichever entrance they come in and go left or right and hit it all. Tip – there is a map and complete vendor line up in the middle of the event program and it lists all the menu items for each vendor, so they can see if there is really something that calls out to them before they get started.”
There is an incredible selection of drink varieties for the event. How were so many great brands chosen?
– “Many of the brands come to us and we like to try to have a variety of craft beer, wine and spirits. In the spirits category, we have a wide variety of different spirits too, so depending on what you prefer, there should be something for everyone!”
What are you looking forward to the most at this year’s event?
– “Seeing what all the chefs in the middle do this year. Springer Mountain Farms has selected some of the best chefs in the area to cook onsite again this year and it’s fun to watch them and taste what they made right in front of you.”
Proceeds of this festival benefit The DISTRICT. Can you tell me a little about that organization and how your event wound up sponsoring it?
– “The DISTRICT is an organization of merchants, business owners and residents that are focused on making sure we have a healthy and vibrant downtown area. Specifically Broadway, Second Avenue and Printers Alley and looking at the progress, upgrades and care that they take to make Nashville Downtown the inviting place that people come from all over the world to see, they are an important group. I’m certain that their influence is part of what has made Nashville the ‘It City.'”
Are there any little-known facts that attendees should know about the festival before arriving?
– “There is parking directly under the park and they can enter at James Robertson or Gay Street and take the elevator from the Observation Tower right up to the entrance. Couldn’t be any easier.”
Are tickets still available?
– “Yes, but ticket prices go up $10 at midnight on Friday, so get them early!”
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
– “Just a thank you to all of the volunteers, restaurants, beverage partners and sponsors that put so much hard work into this event. Specifically US Foods, Springer Mountain Farms and NISSAN.”
For More Information:
– Taste of Music City Festival Event & Ticket Information