Following a successful launch of TasteFest last January, Queen Elizabeth Park is ready for a fantastic follow up to this popular community charity day.

With a new and expanded committee the format has been expanded on.

Chairman John Lenton said the local content on the Kitchen Stage will continue, plus additional entertainment throughout the day. Committee members Peter Bolte and Monique Cahill have put together an exciting program.

Toby Uglow has organised a program for children of all ages and the variety of music put together by Hamish McDonald will be a highlight of the day, whilst visitors dine and socialise on the foreshore of the Manning River.

Lions president Allen Lenton said the club has embraced the concept launched last year by Phil Grisold, past president of Taree Lions Club and marketing director of the 2018 event.

Phil said the major focus of TasteFest is the variety of local, regional and invited producers to share their love of food, craft beer, fine wine and local beverages.

Taree is on track for a lovely day with the current forecast for 28 degrees and a north east breeze.

The inaugural event was a scorcher, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees. However organisers say wven if it is a hot day, there will be extra time in the evening to enjoy the event with it now going through to 9pm.

The kids will be pleased to know that the duck race will be back.

New local Coastal Brewery joins TasteFest for the first time and a local favorite Great Lakes Paddocks will have bubbles and wine for sale. There are also softer options by locals Saxbys and Warinyan Farm/Bottled Culture.

Vendor organisers Kyle Brown, Christy Forrest and Annette Pullman have put together more than 60 stalls for the day.

Kyle said the event has proven to be a popular drawcard with more locals applying and even specialist food trucks from as far as Sydney keen to participate. Club Taree has sponsored the food section and will be keen to hold onto the mantle of most popular food stall again on January 13.

Rob and Kylie Chapman are excited to be organising the vendors on the day and are still fondly remembered for last year’s ice team effort.

John said they are expecting an increase in crowd numbers on the exceptional first time numbers in 2017.

The rowers are in town again and there will be many holiday makers still in the MidCoast region. “We  plan to build on visitations from the Hunter Valley, Central Coast and even Sydney,” Phil Grisold said. 

There is also a large number of locals who are determined not to miss out again on this fun community day.

Phil said the aim is to raise even more funds for local charities in January following the successful support of more than $20,000 value of work for the women’s and children’s refuge this year. 

There has been many hours volunteered by Taree Lions members as well as local business members, community volunteers and a wide range of local service clubs. 

The TasteFest team looks forward to welcoming everyone on Saturday January 13 from 10am to 9pm at Queen Elizabeth Park