How to go
What: Taste of OTR
When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday
Where: Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Cincinnati
Cost: Free
More info: 513-639-7021 or www.tendermerciesinc.org
Saturday marks the second annual Taste of OTR, a kind of localized Taste of Cincinnati specific to the downtown Over the Rhine neighborhood, and festival organizers promise that restaurants will not run out of food this time.
“We had about 3,000 people last year, and we weren’t expecting that many,” said Jackie Baumgartner, development director for Tender Mercies, the nonprofit organization presenting the event. “This year, we already have about 3,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook. There’s lots of coverage, lots of people are talking about it, and we’re expecting about 5,000 people this time. Last year, restaurants weren’t prepared, but now they know.”
Tender Mercies focuses on finding permanent housing for homeless people with mental illnesses, and proceeds from Taste of OTR will go into their programs. Baumgartner said the event also helps them celebrate the growth of Over the Rhine, a historically blighted area that has undergone severe revitalization over the last several years.
“People are actually moving in to live there now,” she said. “It continues to get better every year, even though I’m sure there’s people out there who have no idea what’s been going on.”
Unlike Taste of Cincinnati, Taste of OTR will confine itself to Washington Park, with a single lane closing on 14th Avenue to accommodate a food truck alley. Food options at Taste of OTR range from familiar comforts such as pizza, seafood, BBQ and Gold Star Chili to Belgian delicacies, empanadas (Spanish/Portuguese-style stuffed pastries), Taiwanese tea and gourmet ice cream and grilled cheese.
Other amenities will include a full live music lineup, caricatures and face painting, merchandise and other related nonprofit tents such as Bluegrass for Babies, an organization helps families create healthier home environments for children.
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