ICYMI: Taste of Alpharetta Returns May 4

ALPHARETTA, GA -- Thousands of Alpharetta residents and visitors from surrounding cities and counties will descend onto downtown for the 27th Taste of Alpharetta.

The event, which organizers predict will attract 40,000 attendees, will be held 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 4 along Milton Avenue, Roswell Street, Canton Street, Old Roswell Street and Old Canton Street.

Here is what you need to know with navigating around the city for the event. Along with free admission, Taste of Alpharetta will also offer free shuttles and parking.

Park and Walk (no shuttle service): City Hall Parking and Milton Center (86 School Drive at Independence High School).

• If you are traveling north on Highway 9 take a left onto Wills Road, then a right onto Milton Ave (if you take a left, the same road is called Mid Broadwell Road). The Milton Center will be on your left. If you are traveling south on Highway 9, take a right onto Mayfield Road, then left onto Canton Street and right onto School Drive which takes you directly into the Milton Center parking lot.

City Hall Parking Deck

• If you are traveling south on Highway 9, turn left onto Academy Street, followed by a right onto Park Plaza. If you are traveling west on Old Milton Parkway, take a right onto Haynes Bridge Roadd, followed by a left onto Park Plaza.

Park and Shuttle: Wills Park Equestrian Center (on Wills Road), Will Park at Wacky World (Old Milton Parkway to the right of the Alpharetta City Pool).

• Arriving and leaving the event, shuttles drop off and/or pick up on the corner of Roswell and Marietta Street approximately every 20 minutes from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Parking locations with shuttle service include the following:
• Wills Park at Wacky World (on Old Milton Parkway to the right of the Alpharetta City Pool)
• Wills Park Equestrian Center (at 11915 Wills Road, Alpharetta)

In addition to the great food from more than 60 restaurants serving up their specialties, patrons will enjoy a culinary competition, live music, family friendly fun zone area and more. This free admission event invites patrons to purchase food and activity tickets - 10 tickets for $5. Tickets are redeemed at participating restaurant booths for a wide selection of tastes that range from $.50 to $3 per sample.

Tickets can also be used in the events family-friendly Fun Zones for a variety of activities featuring inflatables, a petting zoo, magic shows and henna tattoos. A wide variety of restaurants will participate, including Alpine Bakery, Benihana, Black Walnut Cafe, Burger Fi, Cafe Intermezzo, Chicken Salad Chick, Da Vinci's Donuts, Farm To Ladle Avalon, Hop Alley Brew Pup, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, Pita Mediterranean Street Food, South Main Kitchen and Wildflour.

Local chefs will compete in the Taste of Alpharetta Culinary Competition in a variety of categories including: Best Appetizer/Salad, Best Fast Casual Entree, Best Fine Dining Entrée, Best Dessert and Best Presentation.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., select competing chefs will conduct cooking demos on the Culinary Competition Stage.

The People’s Choice Award allows patrons to vote for their favorite restaurant. The Taste of Alpharetta Culinary Competition Awards will be presented at 8:30 p.m. on the Main Music Stage for the top chefs in each category and the People’s Choice Award.

For more event information and details on sponsorship of Taste of Alpharetta, visit the city's website, Taste of Alpharetta Facebook page or follow the developments on Twitter @TasteAlpharetta.

Image via Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau