OKOTOKS - Okotoks’ culinary street fest is going big this year as it coincides with the Alberta Summer Games.
Taste of Okotoks is an annual event that sees a diverse line-up of food vendors descend on Olde Towne Okotoks. Set to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, it takes place while the Games are being held in Okotoks and Diamond Valley.
Connie Drake, community events specialist with the Town of Okotoks, said, so far, 16 food vendors have signed up.
“It is a wonderful display of culinary delights from Okotoks,” Drake said.
She anticipates 15,000 people could visit downtown to take part in the event.
“The weekend is going to be bustling with activity,” she said.
Masala Lounge and Grill is a new restaurant that is participating in the festival for the first time.
Owner Pradeep Singh said they serve authentic Indian cuisine and will offer dishes like butter chicken, pakora and naan.
“Those are the top selling dishes,” he said, adding that he's looking forward to sharing details of the restaurant with people at the event.
A repeat vendor, 94 Take the Cake is participating for the sixth year in a row.
Owner Sherry Lindenback plans to offer mini cupcakes, French macarons and sugar cookies, and will be setting up two tents this year because of the increased traffic from the Summer Games.
“I wanted to make an even bigger splash this year,” she said.
Besides a chance to sample what the Okotoks food scene has to offer, the day includes an artisan market with over 100 vendors, along with activities and entertainment throughout the event zone.
Magicians and music, plus sports demonstrations in conjunction with the Alberta Summer Games, are some of the planned attractions.
“We opted to double the size of the event zone, so that we could bring more activities and more entertainment,” Drake said.
Activities will be set up at Elk Avenue, at the Olde Town Plaza and on the Okotoks Art Gallery lawn.
Tickets are required to sample food, and advance tickets are available at the Okotoks Art Gallery and at the Okotoks Recreation Centre.
Tickets are $1 each, with the maximum price of a sample set at $7.
Day-of tickets are available at the Okotoks Art Gallery (cash-debit-credit) and at two tents that will be set up in the event area (cash only).
Road closures in the event zone on Elizabeth, McRae and North Railway streets will begin at 8 a.m. from Northridge Drive to Lineham Avenue.
A bike valet will be set up at the corner of McRae and Clarke streets, where bikes can be dropped off and monitored by volunteers for no charge.
Drake said the Town is grateful for the community's support.
"We put these events on for the community, and they show up every single time and make it truly a community event," she said.
