Taste Of Hudson

I've attended the Taste of Hudson annually since it was first established.  The most interesting food is from the third of the vendors that are independent, more upscale restaurants, who typically make special tasting menus (One Red Door, Downtown 140, etc).  The other vendors are more "chain-like" and typically offer nothing too exciting, but are good choices if you have children.

The price of samples can add up quickly.  Money has to be placed on a TOH card that is then used at the booths to buy food, however unused funds are not refunded.  It's best to walk around, plan out the samples you want, and then calculate how much money to put on the TOH card so you have little to nothing left over.

In addition to the food, the wine tent behind the library is the other happening place at TOH (there is also a selection of beer if you're not into wine).  Usually by early evening, it turns into a large party.  Good thing I'm within walking distance of First & Main.

I've been to a few "Taste of..." events over the years:  Cleveland, Chicago,  Marin County, CA.  They all follow pretty much the same template:  outdoors, pedestrian-friendly, live music, booths with restaurants offering a taste of their grub.

Hudson's is pretty good, in that it is spread very nicely over several blocks around their faux-village shopping area making for some variety of venue.  (Taste of Chicago, by contrast, takes up square MILES but is completely park land, so it all starts to look alike.)  As with most things "Hudson," you'll have lots of preppy, yuppie, country clubbie types wandering around in that "I'm really only here because Babs makes me come" snoot.  Okay, sure, just stay out of my way, okay Biff-Tad?

Here's the real reason to check out TOH:  The music.  If you can't find at least three bands/performers/soloists you like, you're just not even trying.  I think they have six or seven stages, and each act only gets about an hour or hour and a half of performance time, so things move briskly.  Young kids rocking, older dudes jazzing, full orchestra, solo singer-songwriter, you just have a whole world of possibilities.  Celeb chefs, balloon-twisters, car collectors, and the obligatory guys dressed like they live at the country club.  Sheesh.  

Free.  Except for what you eat and drink, it's all free.  Sweet.