What started as a request by two restaurant owners to the City of Wilmington to hold a modest restaurant festival on Wilmington’s underutilized Market Street Mall area in the summer of 1989, evolved into a full-blown food and music festival that spanned seven years and attracted tens of thousands of participants over its lifetime.

The initial organizing committee began as a partnership between the city’s Wilmington Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) and the staff at Big Shout Magazine in the late summer of 1989. The impetus for the festival was to attract attention to the Market Street Mall area in Wilmington while also shining a spotlight on food samplings from area restaurants and original music from area bands. The event was inspired by the Outdoor Cabarets that has been held in the same location in the 1980s as well as Philadelphia’s Jambalaya Jam and River Blues Festival on the riverfront in Philly.

1989 Taste of Wilmington

The first event was a modest affair that kicked off on Saturday, October 7, 1989, at 11 a.m. between the six hundred to nine hundred blocks of Market Street Mall. It featured one stage of bands that included Russian rockabilly group Tikhi Chas, Joe Ambrosino & Monterrey Popsicle, Charming Arms, Garry Cogdell & the Complainers, Life After Elvis, and VHF. Participating restaurants included 817 Restaurant, Cavanaugh’s, Shipley Grill, Boomerangs, Christina House, Scotty’s and several others.

There was also a sidewalk sale, and later in the afternoon the festival’s one and only pie-eating contest was held with a participant named “Hutched” being crowned the winner. Runner up was the inimitable Jerry “Pumpkinhead” Lehane III.

The full attendance for the first festival was estimated to be around 2,000 participants.

The event was sponsored by the City of Wilmington, Shipley Grille, and Big Shout Magazine.

1990 Taste of Wilmington

For its second year, the event started later in the day (1 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and a second stage of bands was added when the event lurched into gear on Saturday, October 13, 1990.

Featured bands included Critic’s Choice with Harry Spencer & Veneisa, Ben Arnold, Garry Cogdell, Charming Arms, Monterey Popsicle, Tree of Life, Steven’s Ensemble, Doc D & Cut Wiz, and Scram! (from Philly).

Participating restaurants were Boomerangs, Cavanaugh’s, Tarabico’s, Bernie’s Tavern, Kid Shelleen’s, Redford’s, Shipley Grill, Coyote Cafe, P.A. Woody’s, Town Warf, Ball’s Restaurant, and Christina House Bistro.

The full attendance for the first festival was estimated to be around 4,000 participants.

The event benefitted Multiple Sclerosis and was sponsored by the City of Wilmington, Shipley Grill, Big Shout Magazine, Pepsi and WSTW 93.7.

1991 Taste of Wilmington

The third year of the festival kicked off from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, and the roster of bands and restaurants featured growing variety.

Bands on the Showcase stage included Voice of Reason (reggae), Charlie Crystle (acoustic folk), Mr. Blue (blues), Monterey Popsicle (roots rock), Harry Spencer & Veneissa (jazz), and Cage One (rap).

Bands on the Bandstand stage featured Mystery Machine, Charming Arms, Jones Purcell, Moving Day (featuring Ed Shockley, Keith Mack & former Hooter Andy King).

Participating restaurants were Boomerangs, Cavanaugh’s, Bernie’s Tavern, Kid Shelleen’s, Shipley Grill, Coyote Cafe, P.A. Woody’s, Bulls Eye Saloon, 1492 Hospitality Group, Polo Club Restaurant, Hanna’s Caterers, Govatos, The Greenery, Federals Bake Shop, The Marriot, Moveable Feast Caterers, Enzo’s Pizza, Stan’s Uptown Cafe, China Palace, Constantinou’s, and Christina House Bistro.

The full attendance for the first festival was estimated to be around 6,000 participants.

The event benefitted Sojourner’s Place and was sponsored by the City of Wilmington, Shipley Grill, Big Shout Magazine, Pepsi, Rolling Rock, and WSTW 93.7.

1992 Taste of Wilmington

In its fourth year, the festival grew by leaps and bounds. A third stage of bands was added and for the first time in its history, and the festival’s footprint was expanded to encompass the 500 to 900 blocks of the Market Street Mall. The 1992 festival kicked off from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 3.

Featured bands were schroeder, Black Exodus, Seizure Rodney, Harry Spencer & Veneissa, Rubber Uglies, Monterey Popsicle, Sin City Band, Jah Roots, Ben Arnold, Mr. Blue, Kid Davis & the Kowpokes, Julia Moyer, Crystal Mistress, Betty Scott, Wade Carey, Crabmeat Thompson, Divine Design, The Low Road, and special guest Johnny Neel.

Participating restaurants were Boomerangs, Cavanaugh’s, Bernie’s Tavern, Kid Shelleen’s, Shipley Grill, Coyote Cafe, P.A. Woody’s, Bulls Eye Saloon, 1492 Hospitality Group, Polo Club Restaurant, Hanna’s Caterers, Govatos, The Greenery, Federals Bake Shop, Enzo’s Pizza, Stan’s Uptown Cafe, China Palace, Constantinou’s, Pisces Island, India Palace, Cuisine, and Christina House Bistro.

Besides the food booths that were present in past events, the addition of merchant booths, festival concessions like popcorn, sno-cones, and cotton candy were added along with artist and crafters booths.

The full attendance for the first festival was estimated to be around 10,000 participants.

The event benefitted Sojourner’s Place and was sponsored by the City of Wilmington, Parcels Inc. The Historical Society of Delaware, Frank’s Union Liquor Mart, Shipley Grill, Big Shout Magazine, Pepsi, Rolling Rock, and WSTW 93.7.

1993 Taste of Wilmington Festival

To kick off its fifth year, the organizing committee of the Taste of Wilmington Festival expanded the festival further to encompass an entire weekend (Sept. 18-19) starting Saturday, September 18 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Once again there were three stages of music. The music was broken down into three categories…

The Busker Stage featured Alfie Moss (jazz), Joe Ambrosino (acoustic folk), Bettie Scott (hammer dulcimer), March Archer, Barbara Mattox & Dan Depace (acoustic folk), and Geri Smith (acoustic folk)

The World Stage featured: Lucky Kalena (R&B), Vic Sadot & Planet Folle (Cajun/zydeco), High Street Band (funk, soul), Harry Spenncer & Vaneissa (jazz), Black Exodus (reggae), Mr. Blue (blues)

The Bandstand Stage featured: Giant Panda Gypsy Band (roots rock), ONE (reggae), Ruder Than You (ska), Matt Sevier (pop rock), 4You (acapella R&B), Caterpillar (heavy rock), and Johhny Neel.

Participating restaurants were Boomerangs, Cavanaugh’s, Bernie’s Tavern, Kid Shelleen’s, Shipley Grill, Coyote Cafe, P.A. Woody’s, Bulls Eye Saloon, 1492 Hospitality Group, Polo Club Restaurant, Golden Apple Caterers, Govatos, Galluccio’s, Federals Bake Shop, Enzo’s Pizza, Scuba, China Palace, Keenan’s Irish Pub, Pisces Island, India Palace, Cuisine, and Christina House Bistro.

This was the first year featuring the “After Taste” festival that continued immediately after the final performance in Market Street ended at 6 p.m. A flatbread trailer was set up in front Bottlecaps Restaurant & Bar and the following bands played from 7 p.m. until midnight: Nazarites, Grinch, Peter’s Cathedral, Suddenly, Tammy!, and schroeder.

On Sunday, September 19, 1993 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. more music was featured at the Wilmington Blue Rocks Stadium with Montana Wildaxe, Pat Godwin, and headliner Johnny Neel.

Besides the food booths that were present in past events, the addition of merchant booths, festival concessions like popcorn, sno-cones, and cotton candy were added along with artist and crafters booths.

The full attendance for the first festival was estimated to be around 12,000 participants.

The event benefitted Sojourner’s Place and was sponsored by the City of Wilmington, Frank’s Union Liquor Mart, Big Shout Magazine, Budweiser, Blood Records, and WSTW 93.7.