Summing up and looking forward to a new Taste

Paul Clinton

This year’s Taste of Newport couldn’t skirt the drop-offs many

public attractions have felt as a result of a flagging economy and

heightened security concerns.

The annual food-and-music festival, now in its 14th year, saw a 6%

drop in revenue at the box office and food booths, organizers said.

Chamber of Commerce President Richard Luehrs said the overall gross

from the event was down, even though he didn’t release the amount of

the proceeds.

Luehrs said the smaller crowds helped make the event more

enjoyable for those who did attend.

“It made the event more comfortable,” Luehrs said. “You could

taste more food. You get from Point A to Point B quicker.”

The event featured a lineup of well-known entertainers, including

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Boogie Knights on Friday, Kool and the Gang

on Saturday and Michael McDonald on Sunday.

Friday evening also featured an off-the-beaten-path performance by

bad boy Dennis Rodman, who donned a dress and launched into an

expletive-laced rap song. Mayor Tod Ridgeway, who said he enjoyed the

event for the most part, said Rodman’s antics struck a sour note with

him.

“Dennis has worn out his welcome,” said Ridgeway, who brought his

wife and three children. “It was totally unacceptable.”

The Beach Boys brought out huge crowds last year when they played

on Sunday, a reason some said this year’s Sunday was a down day. A

much-anticipated bout between Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas

for the super welterweight championship also kept crowds away,

participants said.

“I think there were a little bit less people,” said Athos Fiori,

who ran Mamma Gina’s booth. “Saturday night was lower, I think,

because of the fight.”

Fiori, a managing partner at the restaurant, said his booth’s

revenues were basically flat compared to the year before. Mamma

Gina’s filet mignon with balsamic sauce was the favorite this year,

Fiori said.

Event organizers are still taking stock of the annual food

festival, but said the new cooking pavilion, which featured chefs

from the Costa Mesa art institute cooking food in front of rapt

audiences.

The chamber is hosting a reception at the Hard Rock Cafe on

Tuesday to honor the more than 900 volunteers that worked the

three-day event.

After that time, organizers will compare notes and talk about how

to improve the festival for next year’s edition, Luehrs said.

One improvement, Ridgeway suggested, would be to hold the event

earlier in the summer to take advantage of less chilly weather.