A carnival midway with rides will be on the Town Common throughout the event.
Kate Danilodich, right, of West Springfield prepares crepes from Crepes Teahouse at the Chef's Preview of West Side's Taste of the Valley last year.WEST SPRINGFIELD – A concert by an Aerosmith tribute band, a car show, a road race and delicacies from 14 local eateries top the attractions for this year’s Taste of the Valley set for Thursday through Sunday on the Town Common.
Draw the Line, the only Aerosmith tribute band to be endorsed by former members of the group, will perform Saturday at 8:30 p.m., according to Noreen P. Tassinari, publicity chairwoman for the Rotary Club of West Springfield which is putting on the event with the city. Chicopee Savings Bank will sponsor the Taste.
“We have compiled a fabulous entertainment agenda and will have delicious food from 14 eateries that will be staged in the beautiful setting of the West Springfield Town Common,” Tassinari said.
There will also be a midway with games and rides for children and teens throughout the free event.
The valley eateries that will offer up such tasty fare as mango shrimp and crepes are Angelo’s, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Carol’s Concessions, Crepes Tea House, Edible Arrangements, Local Burger, Mamma Mia’s Pizzeria, The Runway by B’Shara’s, S’Capades, The Ultimate BBQ, Thai Taste, Villa Napoletana, Millie’s Pierogis and Mama Iguana’s.
Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze will kick off the musical part of the festival at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Disorderly Conduct, Merrick Section and Bon Jersey take the stage Friday.
The musical groups Jimmy Mazz, 94th Army Rock Band and Scrap Iron Sun will offer entertainment Saturday.
Sunday will feature performances by City View, Good Acoustics, and The Susan Angeletti Band. A complete entertainment listing, as well as other information such as race entry material is available on the Taste’s website, www.westsidetaste.com.
The annual Taste of the Valley 5K Road Race will kick off Sunday at 10 a.m. Race participants will run along a 3.1-mile route that starts and ends at the Senior Center on Park Avenue.
The Taste of the Valley’s Saturday Cruise, sponsored by Affordable Auto Glass, will return this year with a display of classic, antique and special interest cars on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Taste is made possible by the volunteer efforts of the Rotary Club, the city, the West Springfield Lions Club and many other groups. Hours are Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday from 4 to 11 p.m.; Saturday from 1 to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.