'Savor the Flavor' at Taste of Williamsville
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

For the 19th year, Williamsville's restaurants and residents will come together in Island Park to "Savor the Flavor."

The Taste of Williamsville, sponsored by the Williamsville Business Association, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 in Island Park behind Village Hall, 5565 Main St. in the Village of Williamsville.

As in previous years, food will be purchased by tickets which will cost 50 cents each. All food will cost between two and eight tickets for one item. Tickets will be sold at a tent near the entrance to the park and also at the back pavilion.

"We have an eclectic mix of food," said event coordinator Ron Daniels. "There's really a taste for every palette."

Seven new restaurants will make appearances at Taste of Williamsville this year including vegetarian restaurant Go Veggies and the Grill at the Froghair.

A pie-baking contest will be held during the day and is open to anyone wishing to enter. Contestants may enter as many pies as desired.

No registration is required, but all homemade pies must be brought to the Island by 11:45 to be considered for judging, which will take place from noon to 3 p.m.

Elvis tribute artist Terry Buchwald will headline the all-day music at the Taste of Williamsville Savor the Flavor event from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7. Buchwald will perform from 7 to 9 p.m.

The pies will be judged by five members of the community. A ribbon and a $50 gift certificate to a participating Taste restaurant will be awarded to the grand prize winner. Prizes will also be awarded for Best Fruit Pie, Best Presentation and Best Crust. Honorable mentions will also be given in each category.

For the youngest visitors to the Taste of Williamsville, there will be games and a bounce house.

The Williamsville Fire Department will also have a "Shoot the Water" game using an actual hose from a fire truck.

Radio stations 97 Rock and Mix 104.1 will present the Iron Chef DJ Cook Off from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

This grilling competition, inspired by mystery ingredients, will be judged by Taste attendees.

The event will also feature all-day music, beginning with pop-reggae band "More than Me" at 11:30 a.m. Folk-rock performer

Ken Licata will play from 1:30 to 3 p.m., Scott Celani will perform rock music from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and rock-a-billy band "Headers" will play from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Performing from 5:30 to 7 will be the Young Ambassadors Brass Band, a group of 25 college-age brass players from Great Britain.

Daniels noted that the Young Ambassadors, who have played at Taste of Williamsville in previous years, are on tour in the area and will provide a more traditional contrast to the day's previous mostly rock music groups.

Closing out and headlining the event's music from 7 to 9 p.m. will be Elvis tribute artist Terry Buchwald.

Buchwald has performed nationally and internationally has recorded four CDs. Most recently, he has been nominated as the national spokesperson for the Guitar Centers of America.

For more information, visit the Williamsville Business Association Web site online at www. willvill.com.

e-mail: etaufa@beenews.com