CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Blue skies and cool temperatures drew a huge crowd downtown Saturday as a Cincinnati tradition kicked off.
Lonnie Wiley says he has been coming to the Taste of Cincinnati for decades. His wife, Mary, says she's been coming for about a dozen years.
"All the different places that we could try. Go to the food trucks and after, go to some of the different restaurants. It gives us places that we could try later on, as well," Lonnie said.
Now, they're bringing their son, Lonnie, Jr.
"He loved it. He's excited every time we tell him we're coming," Mary said.
Meanwhile, this was the second time Nicole Faulkner brought her daughter, Leilani, to the festival.
"I enjoy her trying the different foods with me," Faulkner said. "I enjoy also her watching the entertainment and watching them do magic tricks and balloon animals."
There are nearly 80 food vendors lining Fifth Street over the weekend. Organizers say that is the most vendors the festival has ever had.
"I usually go for the jerk chicken, but this time I wanted to try the “Cha Cha” fries and they are really good. I love them. They seem to be the main thing that everybody's getting from this food truck right here, 'Sea Cuisine.' They're really good," Faulkner said.
Those “Cha Cha” fries were a big hit. Nearby, Grace Elder and Santino Alonzo were trying them for the first time.
"Cheers! Oh, my gosh, so good. People should try that if they come," Elder said. "I recommend coming down here and checking out for yourself. It's so good. I love it so much."
"Yes, absolutely. Everything here is amazing. There's so many different trucks for you to try," said Alonzo.
Elder and Alonzo are from Toledo. Grace goes to UC and Santino comes down to visit. Timing at least one of the visits to line up with Taste of Cincinnati.
I think it's a really great way to combine all the local food together for everyone to try," said Elder. "It's been an amazing experience. There is so much life here, so many different things for you to taste and to experience. I think it's a really great experience for anyone who comes.
"I travel to this location for this experience, and it's been so amazing. The community is so beautiful, and you just meet so many new people. This place is just amazing," Alonzo said.
The event also supports regional culinary and entrepreneurial growth. The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber says it has donated more than $100,000 to support new businesses through the Foodpreneur program over the past decade.
The festival is open Sunday 11 a.m.–11 p.m. and Monday 11 a.m.–8 p.m.