The drinks were cold. The food was hot. The venue was simple.
Marco Island restaurants lined up under tents at the Esplanade on Sunday for the 2007 Taste of Marco. This was the 17th annual festival of its kind, sponsored by the Marco Eagle, benefiting the Marco YMCA.
Visitors and locals paid $5 for entrance to about 20 Island restaurants’ concession stands. They all sold samples of decadent dishes while live music was performed and prizes were awarded.
“We just got here, but it smells delicious. We’re about to buy some tickets,” said Suze and John Ingles, visitors from Michigan. Tickets were sold for $1 each, then traded for food and drink — all sold for less than five tickets (under $5).
DJ Steve Reynolds of radio station AM 1480 reminded attendees to buy commemorative Taste of Marco T-shirts for $10. He also announced upcoming 50/50 raffles and gift-certificate giveaways.
“Sodas and water for only two tickets,” YMCA volunteers called out to passers-by.
Bill and Julie Giannos, who have a winter home on Marco Island, sampled House of Mozart’s goulash.
“It’s like a beef stew with noodles. ... It’s really good,” Bill said.
The couple would be leaving for their summer home in a suburb of Chicago on Thursday.
“We’ll miss Marco, but we’re ready to get back home,” Julie said while sampling jerk shrimp from the Marco Hilton.
Dancing With the Starz participant Santo Gentile, owner of Joey’s Pizza, took this opportunity to do some fundraising for his Starz charity, the San Marco Catholic Church and St. Vincent De Paul. He had a poster next to his venue reminding visitors of the annual Marco Island charity competition to be held in August.
Olde Marco Inn, La Grotta’s, Nene’s, Nacho Mama’s, Crazy Flamingo, Verdi’s and Arturo’s representatives enjoyed the beautiful weather, with a backdrop of the bay behind them, while passing out food to visitors.
Chef’s Express reps tantalized visitors with giant strawberries and whip cream.
“We started out with beef tips from Tara’s, which were delicious. Then some spicy shrimp from the Hilton, and now we’re trying pizza. We did all that in 10 minutes,” Louise and Regi Valentinuzzi, of Crescent Beach condos on Marco, said while munching at a table in front of the Bayhouse Restaurant’s venue.
“We didn’t have breakfast. We saved up our appetites for this.”
Families gathered at a children’s area where a giant slide, sand art, candle art and a rock-climbing wall was stationed.
Near the kids’ station, J. Robert and Janet performed Island classics, followed by Crazy Horse & Co. from noon to 3 p.m. Barry Newman took the stage at 3 p.m.
“It’s a beautiful day for a party,” J. Robert called out on his mic while beating on his steel drum.
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