Music and food: Taste of the Cape Sunday
The public is invited to sample local dishes and enjoy some tunes this weekend in Cape Coral.
The 4th Annual Taste of the Cape will take place on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at Four Freedoms Park. Organized by the Gulf Coast Symphony and the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral, the event will feature 22 Cape venues serving up food and drinks, with live performances throughout the day.
“The primary objective of this event is to bring a culinary and cultural event to Cape Coral,” Linda Onorevole, managing director of the Gulf Coast Symphony, said.
Admission is free; attendees only need to purchase tickets to eat and drink.
One hundred percent of the proceeds go toward the symphony’s music education initiatives in the community and the chamber’s scholarship program, which is overseen by the Education Committee.
“We netted $26,000 last year,” she said.
Onorevole added that the fundraiser grows every year.
Organizers are hoping to draw an even larger crowd this year.
“Two years ago, we had about 6,000,” she said.
In 2016, an estimated 10,000 people attended the event.
“Our goal is hopefully $30,000 to split in half between the two organizations this year,” Onorevole said. “As far as people, we hope for the same or a little higher than last year.”
Some of the returning venues include Iguana Mia, Hooters and Zirilli’s Chilly Treats.
“Those are definitely three who have been very wonderful in terms of promoting the event and participating every year,” she said.
Some new faces this year are 10 Twenty Five, Big Blue Brewing and La Corte Bistro.
“It’s been exciting for us because there are some new restaurants in Cape Coral and they’ve chosen to participate,” Onorevole said.
Food and drink prices range from $3 to $8, with tickets $1 each.
She noted that the sample sizes are typically $3, with a full dish costing $8.
“There is a wide variety of things for people to try,” Onorevole said.
Some options include fireball mac and cheese, coffee-roasted tenderloin sliders, quinoa and butternut squash salad, spicy beer cheese and pub pretzels, mango crab stack and chocolate-covered bacon.
“We go from vegan, to pizza and ice cream,” she said. “We have something for everybody.”
Guest judges will vote on the best overall item, best presentation and best sweet treat.
“They get a plaque and they get some bragging rights,” Onorevole said.
As for liquid refreshments, there will be Iguana Mia’s famous margaritas and more.
“We will have craft brews,” she said. “We will have beers on tap.”
The craft beers will feature a few selections from the Cape Coral Brewing Company, the Fort Myers Brewing Company and the Momentum Brewhouse, which is based out of Bonita Springs.
“We also will have a variety of wines,” Onorevole said.
The Gulf Coast Symphony and Singing Sergeants, the U.S. Air Force’s chorus, will perform a “Salute to America” at 4:30 p.m. with patriotic songs and recognition of the Armed Forces and first responders.
“We have a mix of the best symphonic music, mixed with patriotic music,” she said.
The music will kick off at noon with the Lee County Electric Cooperative band, the Killa-Watts.
“They’re a local band and they are all employees of LCEC,” Onorevole said.
The Singing Sergeants will take to the stage for a solo set at 2:45 p.m.
“They’re performing American and jazz standards,” she said.
Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets; coolers and pets are not permitted.
Over 20 craft vendors will be selling jewelry and syrup, to pirate-related items.
“It is a variety of different crafts,” Onorevole said.
Free parking will be available at Club Square, Big John’s Plaza and the Southwest Florida Military Museum, with free shuttle service at each location. The shuttles will run throughout the event.
“We’ll have it constantly going back and forth,” she said.
People can also park in the empty lots in the 400 block of Cape Coral Parkway East.
Onorevole encouraged the public to stop by.
“It’s a great way to learn about the restaurants that are in your town and experience very high-level musical performances for free,” she said.
For more information, visit: tasteofcapecoral.com/ or call 239-277-1700.
Four Freedoms Park is at 4818 Tarpon Court.