The annual event on the Park Street Town Common will include at least 15 restaurants and concession stands.
Pintu's Indian restaurant will return to the 2011 West Side's Taste of the Valley on the West Springfield Town Common June 9-12.WEST SPRINGFIELD - Loosen your belts. West Side’s Taste of the Valley is promising a smorgasbord of culinary delights.
Sponsored by Chicopee Savings Bank, the annual event on the Park Street Town Common will include at least 15 restaurants and concession stands.
The Rotary Club and the town have scheduled the 12th annual event for June 9 to 12.
Delicacies and signature dishes will be served up by Angelo’s, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Carol’s Concessions, Crepes Tea House, Fried-Olicious, Istanbul Mediterranean Grill, Local Burger, Mamma Mia’s Pizzeria, Moolicious, Pintu’s, The Runway by B’Shara’s, Samuel’s Sports Bar, Thai Taste, Tokyo Asian Cuisine and the Ultimate BBQ.
The menu will also include items to satisfy musical tastes.
Several bands will perform on the Town Common during the four-day food fest.
The lineup includes Merrick Section and Nuthin’ Fancy: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience on June 9.
The following day, the Taste of the Valley will present Blues Head and Aquanett, while June 11 performers include John Brandoli, the Time Trippers, Humble Streak, and Bennie and the Jets.
The closing day, entitled Jazz Sunday, is sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center. It feature performances by the Jeremy Milligan Quartet, Flava Evolution, Joe Velez and Creacion, Unit 7, and the West Springfield High School Jazz Band.
Special events are planned during the Taste of the Valley.
Eastern Action Sports Teams will be on the Common on June 10, 4 to 7 p.m., performing amazing tricks and BMX bike demonstrations. This year’s Taste will also include a midway with games and rides for children and teens, animal rides and a petting zoo with exotic animals.
The Taste of the Valley’s “Saturday Cruise,” sponsored by Affordable Auto Glass, returns this year with a display of classic, antique and special interest cars on June 11, 1 to 5 p.m. There is no fee to participate, and vehicles are judged by a panel of representatives from the event, with the winners awarded trophies and gift certificates.
The second annual “Jazzy 5K Fun Run and Walk,” sponsored by Mercy Medical Center, kicks off Jazz Sunday on June 12 at 10 a.m.
Race participants will follow a 3.1 mile route that starts and ends at the Senior Center on Park Avenue.
The Taste of the Valley is a community event made possible by the volunteer efforts of the Rotary Club and Town of West Springfield, the West Springfield Lions Club and many others. Hours are June 9, 4 to 9 p.m.; June 10, 4 to 11 p.m.; June 11, 1 to p.m.; and June 12, 11 to 6 p.m.
For show times, menu items, race entry information and more, visit www.westsidetaste.com.