Wet Taste of Alpharetta

publication date: May 22, 2008

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author/source: Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

By Jonathan Copsey/ STAFF

“The rain? It’s lousy.”

Parviz Golshani pretty much summed up the feeling of this year’s Taste of Alpharetta, which, after more than six months of planning, had a dampener put on it by steady showers throughout the day that only intensified during the evening.

Despite the rain, people still turned out for the event, with decent crowds at some of the booths. Unfortunately it was not anywhere near the 60,000 visitors that had been hoped for. Umbrellas and anoraks moved everywhere along the section of Old Milton Highway that ran along Wills Park. Lucky commuters quickly found out that the entire section was closed for the afternoon.

Golshani, co-owner and chef at the newly opened Tuscany Italian Restaurant in Alpharetta, was upbeat despite the rain: “One way we need the rain, but one way it takes away from the Taste of Alpharetta. Altogether it’s been good. A lot of people have come.”

	Clockwise from bottom: Kara Mia, one of the many vendors at this years Taste of Alpharetta, serves up some food to wet customers; volunteers Lisa (left) and Jamie enocourage people to use recycling bins; a wet pig drums up support for Famous Daves; soaked students enthusiastically sell coke products.

The annual event is billed as the largest such event in the Southeast, with more than 70 vendors from throughout the region setting up booths. Live acts performed on a stage set up in Wills Park.

When asked if his restaurant would come back next year, Golshani was emphatic.

“Absolutely we will be coming back next year,” he said. “It’s fun.”