DOWNEY - More than two dozen local restaurants will participate in this year's Taste of Downey food festival, taking place Thursday, Sept. 20, in the civic center parking lot from 5:30-9 p.m. In addition to food, there will also be live entertainment, an expanded art show and, for the first time, a beer and wine garden.

Nearly 40 artists responded to a call for artists, and 12 were chosen to participate at Taste of Downey, said Valentin Flores, executive director of Downey Art Vibe, which was hired to put on the event.

Local singer Amanda Brown will perform, along with a live pianist and classic rock group The Answer.

New to this year's Taste of Downey is a beer and wine garden, hosted by Soroptimist International of Downey.

The full line-up of participating restaurants includes:

Bionicos Express, Bob's Big Boy, Blizz Frozen Yogurt, Cafe N Stuff, Carino's Italian Restaurant, Chinese Gourmet Express, Elephant Bar, Firestone Grill, Frantone's Pizza, Green Olive, Habana Cafe, Hacker's, Jamba Juice, L.A. Buns, Mambo Grill, Maria's Grill, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, Narai Thai, Olive Garden, Papas & Dogs, Pieloon, Pina Pizza House, Porto's Bakery, Starbucks, Tokyo Garden and Tropicana Bakery

Presale tickets can be purchased prior to the event at a discounted price of $20 for 10 tastes. Tickets will be $25 the day of the event.

To purchase tickets visit the Downey Civic Theatre box office, call (562) 861-8211 or go to downeytheatre.com.

For more information on the Taste of Downey, visit downeyca.org/taste

********** Published: September 13, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 22