This weekend: Taste of Downtown returns to Cortland

Photo of local residents taking part in Taste of Downtown Cortland 2015 (Photo courtesy of Cortland Downtown Partnership).

The July 8 Taste of Downtown is Cortland County’s signature summer event. The festival showcases downtown’s diverse assortment of cuisines through a self-guided tasting tour and friendly restaurant competition.

Mix 2 parts of meetup with friends with 1 part music, 1 part food, and a dash of drink and you have a winning Taste of Downtown Cortland recipe.

Speaking of winning recipes, competition has grown fierce between restaurants, now that a multi-media promotional opportunity and cash prize have been added to the trophy awarded to the top-voted sample. Last year, the 5 highest-ranked entries were featured in a local television segment. The event has grown in scale and a new menu of entertainment aims to enhance the festival experience and encourage people to return to discover more – to experience a whole set of music, the complete dining experience, to fully explore the shops and boutiques.

Online ticket packages for Taste of Downtown will be available June 26 – July 7 at www.hdc.yapsody.coIn-person cash or check purchases may be made July 3-8 (until sold out or 1:00pm) at Cortland Beer Company, LLC., 16 Court Street, and The Local Food Market & Cafe, 37 North Main St., in Cortland.

$15 ticket packages include a tasting guide and map, 20 food sample tickets, 3 adult beverage sample tickets, and a commemorative pilsner tasting glass to the first 500 customers.

RSVP via Facebook by clicking here.