What started as a request that two restaurant owners posed 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.

One thing that differentiated all of the Taste of Wilmington food & music festivals from the other festivals is the organizing committee was able to obtain a limited, all-day liquor license to allow the sale of alcohol on the Market Street Mall as well as the freedom of festival participants to walk around the location with open containers of alcohol.

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 600 to 900 blocks of Market Street Mall. It featured one stage of bands that included Russian rockabilly group Tikhi Chas, Joe Ambrosino & Monterey 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 “Hutch” 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. Unfortunately, an all-day rainstorm marred what could have been a much more well attended event, and this problem precipitated the implementation of a rain date on the following Sunday from hereafter.

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 rock), 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 (an M.I.B.s reunion), 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), Mary 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 Le Bistro Cafe, Honey’s, India Palace, China Palace, Enzo’s Eatery, Cavanaugh’s, Bourbon Street Cafe, Bernie’s Tavern, Brewster’s Cafe, Barn Door Restaurant, Govato’s, Scuba, Keenan’s Irish Pub, Pisces Island Cuisine, Hy-Point Dairy, Luther Moore, Golden Apple Caterers, American Bar & Grill, The Patio, Fresh Fruit Cup, Gallucio’s.

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 flatbed trailer was set up 9th Street in front Bottlecaps Restaurant & Bar and the following bands played from 7 p.m. until midnight: Nazarites (reggae from Newark), the Caulfields (alternative pop from Wilmington), Grinch (roots rock from Newark), Peter’s Cathedral (mainstream rock from Philly), Suddenly, Tammy! (SpinArt recording artists from Lancaster, PA), and schroeder (blissed out pop from Newark).

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.

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.

1994 Taste of Wilmington

This year’s festival spanned from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 24. For the sixth year running, the Taste of Wilmington Food & Music Festival came to downtown Wilmington, DE with a wide array of artists, crafters, merchants, restaurants, and bands — all in a five-block span on the Market Street Mall. This year, the festival featured the most live entertainment in its history, with three stages and 20 bands.

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

The Acoustic Stage featured Porch Chops (acoustic roots rock), Geri Smith (female acoustic folk), Bettie Scott (hammer dulcimer), Just E Knuff (acapella R&B), and Patti Shea & Ernie Triomfo (acoustic rock from Philly).

The Ninth Street Stage featured: Steve LaRocca (blue-eyed blues), Grupo Resplandor (authentic Mexian mariachi band), Vic Sadot & Planet Folle (Cajun/zydeco), Harry Spencer & Vaneissa (jazz), Jah Roots (reggae), Alfie Moss (voted “Best Jazz Artist” in the 1993 Big Shout Music Poll)

The Bandstand Stage featured: CCAC Faculty Allstars (jazz from Christina Cultural Arts Center), Nitrous (alternative rock), Pigeonhole (mellow alternative rock), Insaciable (14-piece salsa band from Wilmington), Crossbone Pie (hard rock from Philly), Mother Nature’s Black Light Rainbow (Wilmington’s most popular hardcore band).

After the last note was played at the main festival on Market Street Mall, the “After Taste” festival continued immediately on its heels from 7 p.m. until midnight. Once again, a flatbed trailer was set up 9th Street in front Bottlecaps Restaurant & Bar and the following bands were featured: Giant Panda Gypsy Blues Band (roots rock from Philly), Spindrift (psychedelic alternative from Newark), Iota (pop rock from Philly), Peter’s Cathedral (mainstream rock from Philly), schroeder (blissed out alternative from Newark).

Participating restaurants were: American Bar & Grill, Beijing Chinese Restaurant, Big Kahuna Beach Restaurant, Bourbon Street Cafe, Brew-haha, Cavanaugh’s, China Palace, Enzo’s Italian Restaurant, Galluccio’s, The Greenery, Hanifa’s Kitchen, Jamerican Delights, Le Bistro at Guest Quarters, Leo & Jimmy’s Deli, Moore-Ways, Seafood, Pizza by Elizabeth, Richardson’s Ice Cream.

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, Snapple, and WSTW 93.7.

1995 Taste of Wilmington

For its final year, the event spanned from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 16. For the seventh year running, the Taste of Wilmington Food & Music Festival came to downtown Wilmington, DE with a wide array of artists, crafters, merchants, restaurants, and bands — all in a five-block span on the Market Street Mall. One addition was the introduction of a children’s games and activities center at the Historical Society of Delaware’s offices.

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

The Acoustic Stage featured: Sunrise, Marc Moss (acoustic folk), Gimme, Porch Chops (acoustic roots rock), Maggi, Pierce & E.J. (eclectic acoustic rock from Philly), and Nik Everett (acoustic rock)

The Ninth Street Stage featured: Vic Sadot & Planet Folle (Cajun/zyedeco), Nazarites (reggae), Harry Spencer & Vaneissa (jazz), Steve LaRocca (blue-eyed blues).

The Bandstand Stage featured: Obese Pharoahs of Funk (alternative from Newark), 7 Lb. Chrome (alternative from Wilmington), Carmelita Cephas (blues), Cornbred (Jones Purcell project), Public Service?! (funk/ska from Philly)

After the last note was played at the main festival on Market Street Mall, the “After Taste” festival continued immediately on its heels from 7 p.m. until midnight. Once again, a flatbed trailer was set up 9th Street in front Bottlecaps Restaurant & Bar and the following bands were featured: Lenny & the Soulsenders (funk from Philly), Mercy River (rock from Philly), Gingham Shmuz (rock from Baltimore), The Scatologists (ska from Newark), John O’Gorman Band (funk, blues, rock from North Carolina), schroeder (blissed out pop from Newark).

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, Big Shout Magazine, Samuel Adams, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Delicato Blue Label Wine, Rockford Brewing Co.