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Frequently Asked Questions

You have asked and we’ve listened. This year, the Taste of Lakewood has plenty to eat, and plenty of fun for the whole family! Aside from eating your way through food from 20 award winning Lakewood restaurants, you can shop, listen to music from Jeff Varga and Whiskey Island Ramblers, remember the day at the University of Akron photo booth, get a temporary Taste of Lakewood tattoo, enter to win Dollars for Scholars raffle to help high school students get to college, and more. You might even get a glimpse of a local celebrity!

If you have a question that you don’t see an answer to, please feel free to visit us on facebook and we will do our best to answer promptly.

How do I get to Madison Park for the Taste of Lakewood?

Walk or Bike

Lakewood is one of Ohio’s most walkable cities, and it’s very bike friendly. Avoid the traffic and get around easily by walking or biking to the event. A bike parking area is on the east side of the pool house.

RTA Red Line

Take the RTA Red Line (Exit at W. 117th Street, walk or roll 1/2 mile west on Madison Avenue to Madison Park). According to the RTA website the bus is ADA accessible and makes bike racks available to riders.

Drive

While VIP tickets include close parking, there is limited parking for general admission. Some parking is available at the north end of the park, at Harrison Elementary School (2080 Quail Street, 2 blocks east), or on neighboring streets.

VIP Drive + Park

The VIP experience includes a parking pass which allows you to park directly adjacent to the event, off of Halstead. The lot is small and very accessible.

The main list

Quick list Q&A

How much does it cost to get in?

General admission is free, “pay as you go” at individual food vendors.

What is the VIP experience and how is it different?

VIP Experience at the Taste of Lakewood includes highly sought after amenities and provides a unique experience for event VIPs. The 2022 Taste of Lakewood VIP ticket ($60) includes:

VIP Parking (some say this alone is worth $60)
Seating in the Pier W VIP Tent from 1-4pm
Separate VIP Bar (beer & wine) and two drink tokens
Proximity to the First Federal Lakewood “Good Tunes” Stage
Two food items of your choice from participating restaurants, delivered to you at the VIP tent
Volunteer wait staff to retrieve your order
Special VIP-only dessert provided by Pier W
One free VIP-only Raffle ticket to win Pier W Complete Dinner for TEN (additional chances available for purchase at event)

VIP Tent sponsor Pier W has generously donated a ‘Complete Dinner for TEN at Pier W’ as a raffle prize only offered to Taste of Lakewood VIPs. The dinner includes a 4-5 course menu to be custom designed by Chef Regan Reik (based on chosen protein, seasonal ingredients & availability) with wine paired with each course. The ‘Complete Dinner for TEN at Pier W’ is valued at $2,000.

<a href=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-taste-of-lakewood-vip-experience-tickets-348015613067″>Buy tickets</a>

What is the 50/50 Dollars for Scholars Raffle?

Purchase a 50/50 raffle ticket now or at the Dollars for Scholars tent to win over $1,250!

Proceeds support the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Scholarship fund

What time does the event start and end?

The event starts at 1pm and ends at 7pm. The VIP experience begins at 1pm and ends at 4pm.

How much does the food cost?

Prices vary by restaurant, generally in the $5-$7 range. Beer & wine ($6 tokens), soda ($2), and water ($1) are available for purchase as well.

If you purchase a VIP ticket, it includes two food items of your choice from participating restaurants, delivered to you at the VIP tent. The VIP experience also includes a separate bar (beer & wine) and two drink tokens.

Is the event kid-friendly?

Yes! The event is the perfect outing for the family. There are plenty of food choices for even the pickiest eaters!

Is the event dog-friendly?

Yes, on a leash (per City of Lakewood park rules).

I’m obviously over 21. Do I have to present an ID to buy drink tokens?

Yes. The Taste of Lakewood liquor permit from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control requires that we ID anyone purchasing tokens for alcoholic beverages.

Can I use a credit card?

Beer, wine, soda and water sold by the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is cash only. Some food vendors will accept credit cards, but it’s mostly a cash event.

Where are the nearest ATMs?

There are two ATMs at the event. One is on the north side of the event and the other is at the south end of the food vendor row near the stage.

I heard this event is for charity. Is that true?

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce scholarship program, funded in part with event sponsorship dollars and proceeds from The Taste of Lakewood, awards scholarships each year to four high school seniors from either Lakewood High School or St. Edward High School.

See this year’s recipients recognized on the Taste of Lakewood stage at 4:00pm!

What entertainment is on the Taste of Lakewood stage?

1:00-4:00pm Jeff Varga live music
4:00pm 2022 Scholarship Recipients recognized
4:15pm VIP Raffle Drawing: Pier W Dinner for Ten
4:30-6:30pm Whiskey Island Ramblers live music
6:30pm 2022 Dollars for Scholars Raffle Winners Drawn

How do I get a temporary Taste of Lakewood tattoo?

Temporary Taste of Lakewood tattoos are given out as our way of saying thank you for buying a Dollars for Scholars raffle ticket which supports the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Scholarship fund (only tickets purchased at the event and while supplies last).

If the weather does not cooperate, does the Taste of Lakewood have a rain date?

No. The Taste of Lakewood will be on Sunday, June 12th from 1:00-7:00pm, rain or shine!

How can I remember my fabulous day at the Taste of Lakewood?

The Roo & You photo booth, sponsored by University of Akron Lakewood, is a fun way to capture the moment. The photo booth is located by the north end of the restaurants.

I am proud to be a multiple year Taste of Lakewood supporter by sponsoring the saw horse tables. It’s a wonderful way to support the city that I live in and love.

eric lowrey

Realtor®, Berkshire Hathaway Lucien Realty

Treat yourself and help a student

A portion of VIP Ticket proceeds contribute to the future of young minds

VIP Experience at the Taste of Lakewood includes highly sought after amenities and provides a unique experience for event VIPs. The 2022 Taste of Lakewood VIP ticket ($60) includes:

VIP Parking (some say this alone is worth $60)
Seating in the Pier W VIP Tent from 1-4pm
Separate VIP Bar (beer & wine) and two drink tokens
Proximity to the First Federal Lakewood “Good Tunes” Stage
Two food items of your choice from participating restaurants, delivered to you at the VIP tent
Volunteer wait staff to retrieve your order
Special VIP-only dessert provided by Pier W
One free VIP-only Raffle ticket to win Pier W Complete Dinner for TEN (additional chances available for purchase at event)

PURCHASE TICKETS

Couple smiling and toasting beer in VIP tent

As part of the VIP experience, seated customers order from their table and their waiter retrieves the order, then runs the food back to the table. Proceeds from VIP ticket sales support the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce scholarship program.

New this year, you have a chance to win cold hard cash AND support hard working high school students. Proceeds from VIP ticket sales support the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce scholarship program.

Is it your lucky day?

WIN more than $1,250!

The Dollars for Scholars 50/50 Raffle supports the Taste of Lakewood Scholarship Fund… and maybe YOU! Every ticket you buy makes the kitty grow larger.

Tickets are on sale online and at the event at the Dollars for Scholars 50/50 raffle tent.

Live drawing at 6:30 pm at the Taste of Lakewood. You DO NOT need to be present to win.

Dollars for Scholars is sponsored by Sentry Protection Products.

TICKETS 1/$5 or 5/$20

Event Details

EVENT CO-PRESENTERS
Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
Cleveland Magazine
Studio West 117
Convey360

TASTE OF LAKEWOOD 2023
1:00pm — 6:00pm
Studio West 117, Lakewood, Ohio
General Admission is FREE

VIP EXPERIENCE
Includes reserved parking, seating on the rooftop deck, personal waiter, food and drink tokens, private music by Jeff Varga, and one raffle ticket to win a special prize.

THANK YOU 2022 SPONSORS
Dollar Bank
University of Akron Lakewood
Tri-C

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