Bethesda Urban Partnership director David Dabney said his staff wasn’t mentioning a certain four-letter word during the days leading up to Saturday’s Taste of Bethesda.
Rain is not a friend of the food festival, which takes place on the streets of Woodmont Triangle in downtown Bethesda, and Dabney said Thursday night the partnership’s staff kept a close eye on forecasts leading up to the event and were hopeful the rain would end before the 11 a.m. start time.
On Saturday morning, the sky was dark and rain was falling as the tents went up around Woodmont Triangle. It was chilly and wet in the morning, but by around noon, an hour after restaurants started serving food, the rain had mostly stopped and the streets filled with children, adults, dogs, live music and the smells of freshly cooked cuisine from 60 local restaurants.
Stephanie Coppula, director of marketing for BUP, estimated more than 20,000 people came to the 25th year of the annual event. She said attendance wasn’t as high as during 2013’s sunny event, but it was better than the last time it rained at the event in 2011.
Money from the event is split between participating restaurants and the Bethesda Urban Partnership. Money raised by BUP is used to pay for the event's expenses, according to Coppula, such as security, tents, tables and chairs; if a profit is made, the money is used for other events. Coppula said the event this year paid for itself, but didn't generate a profit.
Correction: A previous version of this article stated the event serves as a BUP fundraiser, in fact funds raised from the event are used for the event's expenses or to fund future events.
Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Lt. Governor candidate and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.
Sit Means Sit dog training at the corner of Cheltenham and Wisconsin avenues.
A young girl meets a puppy on Cordell Avenue.
Jaleo employees make paella in this giant pan.
An Olazzo worker fills cannolis at their stand on Norfolk Avenue.
Macarons being offered at the Tout de Sweet tent.
A truck inside Chevy Chase Acura at the Back to Bethesda Car Show.
Grillmasters at the BGR tent cook up hamburgers.
An attendee gets some ribs from Smoke BBQ.
A worker at the Hard Times Cafe booth orders up some more chili for their booth.
Vintage #18 Jazz Band performs
The Kadhai Indian Cuisine booth was popular throughout the day.
Ruth's Chris Steak House made steak sandwiches at its booth on a busy Cordell Avenue
All photos by Andrew Metcalf.
