Taste of Champaign-Urbana Begins Friday Night

On Friday, the annual Taste of Champaign-Urbana kicks off at West Side Park in Champaign.

At this year’s event, there will be live music, art work, and food from about two dozen vendors. The Champaign Park District’s Laura Auteberry said people who come to the Taste should nott hold back on the food.

“Remember that they are eating guilt free because this is the park district’s major fund raiser each year for our youth scholarship program," she said. "What that does is it allows us to provide fee waivers to children in our community whose families might not be able to afford to pay for day camps, swim lessons, or sports programs.”

Auteberry said she hopes to raise about $15,000 for the cause.

Also, this is the first time in the event’s 43-year history that people will be able to drink beer. Beer sales will be contained in the main entertainment area, and there will be increased security.

The Taste of Champaign-Urbana goes from 5pm until 10pm on Friday, 11am until 10pm on Saturday, and 11am until 6pm on Sunday.