The eighth installment of the Taste of Miami Valley is Sept. 14-15 from 5-11 p.m. on Friday and 2-11 p.m. on Saturday at
RiverScape MetroPark, 111 E. Monument St. in Dayton.
Amy Zahora, director of the Miami Valley Restaurant Association says that this is an easy way for students to become acquainted
with some of the eateries in the area.
“It’s a great place to come with friends. It’s close to UD and students can dine at some of the Miami Valley’s finest restaurants at
a low price,” she said.
To pay for food, patrons will have to purchase taste tickets, which are all $3. Nothing featured will cost more than a ticket or two,
and admission to the event is free, Zahora said.
According to the Taste of Miami Valley website, there will be more than 30 local restaurants on site “providing samples,
representing the best of the culinary arts in the Miami Valley—from Thai and seafood to cabbage rolls and barbecue — ensuring
something for everyone.”
There are many different cuisines at the Taste of Miami Valley featuring, among others, classic American barbeque and Latin
American cuisine.
Restaurants common to many Dayton students will be sampling their confections, like Mama DiSalvo’s cannoli. Zahora said other
tasty treats will include Shen’s Szechuan’s shrimp rolls and barbeque from Company 7.
For those at least 21-years-old, the Taste of Miami Valley will also have a variety of beers on tap all for $3 and many wines to try
with alcohol sales ending at 10:30 p.m.
The two-day event typically draws over 35,000 people from the area. Food is not the only attraction for weekenders, though.
According to the Taste of Miami Valley website, “patrons will not only sample delicious food, beer and wine, but be able to enjoy
live music, ice sculpture demos and more.”
“There will be live music both days, and Saturday night we will have Panama hitting the stage at 8 p.m., the world’s best Van
Halen tribute band. We also have a corn hole tournament both days. It’s an event filled with food, live music and fun and best of all
is free admission,” Zahora said.
Friday night the Taste of Miami will also be a part of Urban Nights.
“Urban Nights is a free event that showcases downtown’s dining, nightlife, art, music, retail and urban living options. The event
has been described as a huge, all-inclusive street party and open house for downtown, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Typically, more than 30,000 people pack the streets, so come join the fun,” the website said.
To see all of the restaurants and entertainment featured at the Taste of Miami Valley, visit the event website at
tasteofmiamivalley.com.
