Event planner takes over Taste of Downey

DOWNEY - A professional event planner has been hired by the city to coordinate the second annual Taste of Downey food festival taking place Sept. 30 in front of City Hall.The City Council agreed Tuesday to hire planning company Community Arts Resources at an amount not to exceed $65,000. City officials hope to recoup a portion of the cost through ticket sales. Last year's Taste of Downey event attracted about 1,500 visitors who paid $10 each for 10 "tastes" from participating restaurants. Food tickets will increase to $20 this year. City officials expect to sell 2,500 tickets to raise $50,000, according to a city staff report. Community Arts Resources will assist the city in "rebranding the event (graphics and website), marketing, restaurant and patron recruitment, logistical support before, during and after the event, as well as coordination with the Los Angeles County Health Department," community development director Brian Saeki wrote in a report. Community Arts Resources has 25 years experience planning events and are "experts at community outreach and marketing," Saeki said. The company currently produces festivals in Santa Monica and Chinatown, in addition to other cultural events. This year's Taste of Downey will again take place in front of Downey City Hall.

********** Published: June 30, 2011 - Volume 11 - Issue 10