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View Winners → Arcadia: A Taste of History Looms
Arcadia Weekly Aug 31, 2018
Taste of Arcadia normally draws a large crowd. - Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
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The Taste of Arcadia, initially held on the infield at Santa Anita Park, will now be held at the Arboretum. – Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
Taste of Arcadia slated Sept. 24
By Staff
The Taste of Arcadia is the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s most sought-after event; held traditionally on the last Monday in the month of September. Each year the ‘Taste,” as it is fondly known, grows in popularity, with more and more food vendors joining the festivities, more businesses showcasing their products and services, and many more members of the public in attendance. What better place to enjoy the best of the City of Arcadia than the very jewel of the valley: the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. The city’s founder, Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin himself probably would have approved of the Taste’s chosen location.
Taste of Arcadia began as a much smaller event nearly 40 years ago to help raise money for the Arcadia Tournament of Roses Association in order to build their float. The event was known as The Wine Shed Mixer, which was originally subtitled as “A Taste of Arcadia.” The Arcadia float was coordinated by a group of volunteers known as the Arcadia Tournament of Roses Associations, and for years the group used space in the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s iconic round building. When costs for the floats became too high, the Arcadia Tournament of Roses Association dissolved in 1999. All assets, including the annual fund-raiser, were transferred to the Chamber.
The current incarnation of Taste of Arcadia was initially held on the infield at Santa Anita Park for a period of time. The Chamber continued to host the food and wine event at Santa Anita for a few years under various names, including the Festival of Food, before it outgrew the space. The Chamber then decided to move it to the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden several years later, adopting the name “Taste of Arcadia.”
It wasn’t until the mid-2000s that the event really came into its own, creating its own sense of style and elegance. The now famous peacock wine glass combo logo was also created for the event. In 2017, the Taste of Arcadia adopted the subtitle, “With a Side of Business,” for the Business Showcase.
The Arcadia Chamber of Commerce can be reached by phone at (626) 447-2159 or you can stop by their offices Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 388 W. Huntington Drive.
