This year, the award-winning festival will surround the Square to accommodate the crowd.

Festival goers can take a break from the heat and visit one of the shops on the Square or learn about Marietta’s history in one of the city’s museums, located within walking distance of the Square. Festival goers can also catch a ride on the Historic Marietta Trolley and explore Marietta’s historic neighborhoods.

In addition to the food and fun, the family festival has outdoor entertainment all day, culminating with the Sunset Concert featuring “Banks & Shane.” The festival will also include cooking demonstrations at the SCANA Energy Cooking Stage; and “Kids Alley,” a children’s area complete with moonwalks, sand art and strolling characters.

Festival-goers can meet some of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers at “Sports Corner,” sponsored by 790 The Zone.

Admission
Admission to Taste of Marietta, which is a project of the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau in conjunction with the city of Marietta, is free.

Parking
Parking is available in lots around the Square and at the Cobb County parking garage adjacent to the Square off Lawrence Street. Parking is also available at Marietta Middle School, and the Historic Marietta Trolley Company will provide free shuttle service to and from the festival. Handicapped parking is also available. Parking is not available in the church lots.

Entertainment schedule
Live bands perform will free concerts all day at four stages on the Square.

Evening concert tables may be reserved in advanced by calling the Marietta Welcome Center at 770-429-1115. Concertgoers can also bring their blankets for a picnic in the park.

Kicks 101.5 Food Court Opens, 11 a.m.
Kids Alley opens, 11 a.m.
Sports Corner opens, 11 a.m.
Biohazard, East Park Stage, 11 a.m.-noon
Black Cat Bone, South Park Stage, 11 a.m.-noon
Katelyn Pope, West Park Stage, 11 a.m.-noon
3 Way Street, Main Stage, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sam Huff BBQ demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, noon-12:30 p.m.
700 South, South Park Stage, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Roger “Hurricane” Wilson, East Park Stage, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Ginny McCormick, author of Sundays in the South demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, 12:45-1:15 p.m.
Men In Blues West Park Stage, 1-5 p.m.
Sam Huff BBQ demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, 1:30-2 p.m.
Ginny McCormick, author of Sundays in the South demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, 2:15-2:45 p.m.
Announcement of food awards, 3 p.m.
Sam Huff BBQ demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, 3-3:30 p.m.
Hoosier Daddy, South Park Stage, 3-5 p.m.
Atlanta Rox, East Park Stage, 3-5 p.m.
Johnnie Gabriel cooking demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, 4:30-5 p.m.
Banks & Shane, Main Stage, 5-7 p.m.

Food drive
In conjunction with Taste of Marietta, MUST Ministries will hold a food drive to help feed the hungry. Festival goers are encouraged to bring canned food items to help stock MUST Ministries’ pantry. As a thank you, each person who donates three cans of food will receive a free sample from Confection Perfection or Adrian’s Delectables. Cans may be dropped off at the MUST Ministries booth at the festival.

About MUST Ministries
MUST Ministries is a faith-based organization that, for 37 years, has been dedicated to providing services to people in crisis. MUST offers a range of services including emergency shelter, transitional housing, meals, groceries, clothing, job readiness and placement, financial assistance, children’s programs, community support groups and access to free healthcare.

Fear in Faith, Andy Lee Stephens Band, 3 Way Street, Southern Justice, Biohazard, Men in Blues, Roger “Hurricane” Wilson, and Hoosier Daddy Band entertained the crowds on four stages on the Square all day. 

Awards

• All-American: Aspens Signature Steaks
• Dangerously Delicious Dessert: Vineyard Cafe
• The Big Chicken: Taco Mac
• The Grillmaster: Sugarcakes Patisserie
• Finger Lickin’ Good: Rib Ranch BBQ
• Tastiest Taste: Talk of the Town
• Most Unique Taste: Keegan’s Public House
• Best International Dish: Blu Greek Taverna
• Best Comfort Food: Delightful Bite Catering

Taste of Marietta is held annually on the last Sunday in April.  Next year Taste of Marietta will be held April 25. 

For more information, call the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau at 770-429-1115.

In addition to the food and fun, the family festival has outdoor entertainment all day, culminating with the Sunset Concert featuring “Banks & Shane.” Vintage and new cars will be on display at the Wade Ford Car Show.

“With more than 70 restaurants serving their treats and a children’s area with moonwalks, sand art, strolling characters and much more, any festival-goer is bound to have a great time,” festival coordinator Maryclaire Andres said. Festival-goers can meet some of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers at “Sports Corner,” sponsored by 790 The Zone.

Admission

Admission is free and is a project of the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau in conjunction with the city of Marietta.

“Taste of Marietta is a fun way to sample the food of a variety of metro-Atlanta’s restaurants as well as its history and culture,” Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau executive director Theresa Jenkins said. “Festival goers can experience the shopping and history around the Marietta Square, or enjoy a free ride on the trolley to and from the festival.”

Parking

Parking is available in lots around the Square and at the Cobb County parking garage adjacent to the Square off Lawrence Street. Parking is also available at Marietta Middle School, and the Historic Marietta Trolley Company will provide free shuttle service to and from the festival. Handicapped parking is also available.

Entertainment schedule

Live bands perform will free concerts all day at four stages on the Square.

Evening concert tables are sold out. However, concertgoers can bring their blankets for a picnic in the park.

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fear in Faith, South Park Stage

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Andy Lee Stephens Band, MBA West Park Stage

11 a.m.-2 p.m. 3 Way Street, Main Stage

Noon-1:30 p.m. Cooking demonstration from Chef Marvin Woods, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage

Noon-2 p.m. Southern Justice, East Park Stage

1-3 p.m. Biohazard, South Park Stage

2-5 p.m. Men in Blues, MBA West Park Stage

3 p.m. Announcement of food winners, Security Exchange Bank Stage

3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Cooking demonstrations from Chef Marvin Woods, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage

3-5 p.m. Roger “Hurricane” Wilson, East Park Stage

3:30-5 p.m. Hoosier Daddy Band, South Park Stage

Sunset concert

5-7 p.m. Banks and Shane, Main Stage

Food drive

In conjunction with Taste of Marietta, Must Ministries will hold a food drive to help feed the hungry.  Festival goers are encouraged to bring canned food items to help stock Must Ministries’ pantry. 

Each person who donates three cans of food will receive a hamburger from Bubba Burger, the sponsor of Kid’s Alley.  Cans may be dropped off at the Must Ministries Booth next to Bubba Burger’s booth inside the Bubba Burger Kids Alley or at the Hospitality Tent.

“As a food festival, we think it’s important to help out in these tough economic times,” Jenkins said. 

About MUST Ministries

MUST Ministries is a faith-based organization that, for 37 years, has been dedicated to providing services to people in crisis.  MUST offers a range of services including emergency shelter, transitional housing, meals, groceries, clothing, jog readiness and placement, financial assistance, children’s programs, community support groups and access to free healthcare.

For more information, call the Marietta Welcome Center at 770-429-1115 or visit tasteofmarietta.com.