Taste Addison cancelled after 30 years

Taste Addison to be cancelled after 30 years

Addison is ending its long-running Taste Addison food festival after more than 30 years, citing a $750,000 loss from last year’s event.

ADDISON, Texas - The Town of Addison is bringing Taste Addison, its long-running food festival, to an end.

Financial loss and evolving vision

What we know:

Taste Addison dates back to 1993, celebrating the city’s culinary scene with food and live music.

This year’s festival was slated to take place from April 17–19.

This week Addison City Council says the major April food festival and concert at Addison Circle Park has run its course. The city council doesn't want the brand to totally go away, just shift to new events year-round. 

"Under its current form, I’m going to use a cooking idiom…stick a fork in it. It's done," said Councilmember Randy Smith.

On Tuesday evening, many city council members voiced that Taste Addison lost its flavor. Last year's festival was in the red with more than $750,000.

A blow to local small businesses

Local perspective:

Ron's Place, a whiskey bar that specializes in craft beer, has been a vendor at the April food festival and concert for close to 15 years. The bar's General Manager, Planet Thompson, is saddened to hear of the event's cancellation. The event was a way to try and build their customer base.

"Although it's a small city, it has a big city vibe," said Thompson.  "Anytime someone can get out there around thousands of people and say, ‘Hey look at us.’ One is better than none."

Value vs. Profit

What they're saying:

Mayor Bruce Arfsten pointed out that while losing money on paper, the exposure of Taste Addison is top value.

"It's not just a straight numbers thing. There is so much more to it that it is hard to quantify some of it," said Mayor Arfsten.

"We just have difference of opinions. I don’t know what is best. I just think what we are doing isn't working and we should be looking at a change," said Councilmember Howard Freed. 

The culinary scene in Addison

Big picture view:

The city plans to continue celebrating Addison’s culinary scene in new ways.

"The Town will shift its focus toward fresh, creative ways to celebrate Addison’s incredible culinary scene," the Town of Addison said in an email. "The core purpose of Taste Addison – promoting Addison’s 200+ restaurants – will be reenvisioned to include new, year-round options to support and elevate North Texas’ most vibrant dining hub."

City council members proposed multiple events throughout the year at or near the restaurants themselves. Their hope is to focus more on the businesses themselves, saving money on a music headliner, and to create constant buzz in Addison's culinary scene.

It's a pivot Thompson says they will adapt to.

"I'm pretty sure so many people are sad to see it go, but it gives us an opportunity for Addison to grow," said Thompson. "I have all faith that they will figure something out. I hope they take suggestions."

What's next:

Addison City Council will come back next month to brainstorm ideas on what multiple events they want to do. Ideas thrown out are restaurant week, holiday specials and a burger battle.