Now that's Tasty!

Comerica TasteFest offers a variety of food, music and fun for Detroiters during July 4th weekend

Nearly 500,000 people are expected to head to Detroit's New Center area this weekend for what has become a major summer tradition in the D: the Comerica TasteFest.

Food lovers will delight in the more than 40 local restaurants showcasing signature dish samples at this year's event, and music lovers will enjoy listening to a plethora of local favorites like the Thornetta Davis Band and Amp Fiddler, as well as popular national names such as G. Love and Special Sauce and Faith Evans.

In addition to the great food and excellent music at the five-day event, festival-goers will also have the opportunity to browse and purchase items from some of Detroit's most beloved stores and boutiques. Eastern Market's Detroit Spice Company, the Fisher Building's Vera Jane, and the highly successful Pure Detroit, are just three of many stores that will be congregated in the area next to the Street Market selling art, books, collectibles, clothing, records, and more.

A complete list of TasteFest-participating restaurants is available here. Food samples can only be bought with TasteFest tickets, which will be sold throughout the event area.

All musical performances at TasteFest 2005 are free. Music lineups and stage information can be found here.

TasteFest has been a part of Detroit's summer calendar since 1993 and is put on by the New Center Council, Inc., (NCC) a non-profit organization that aims to keep downtown Detroit's edge city one that is diverse, safe, and financially sound. Since it began, the festival has helped raise more than $850,000 for various renovations and planning devices that help to uphold the NCC's mission. In addition, TasteFest proceeds were directly responsible for the development of an award-winning youth program at one of Detroit's elementary schools.

For maps, parking information, or anything else you want to know about TasteFest, please click here.