Tasty event is breaking records

June Casagrande

Taste of Newport had its most impressive kick off yet as this year’s

advance ticket sales broke the 15-year-old festival’s record,

organizers said.

“Things are looking really good,” said Richard Luehrs, president

of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the annual

event.

Luehrs said that the chamber does not release the actual

attendance figures for security reasons, but said that advance ticket

sales by Friday morning were about 20% ahead of last year’s.

A number of factors were poised to spell success for the Taste of

Newport. Besides a general, albeit mild, economic upturn, top-name

musical acts have added to the upsurge. Headlining tonight will be

chart-topping Orange County natives Sugar Ray, an act that organizers

have lauded as a major coup for the festival.

The Beach Boys will perform Sunday. Neil Diamond tribute band

Super Diamond and ‘70s cover band Disco Inferno played Friday.

The food and entertainment event is also growing in popularity

simply because it’s been around long enough to become known as a

major happening that’s also a local institution.

“These are not new folks. This is the 15th year, and I think

people have been here in many instances before and they put it down

as an annual event not to be missed,” Luehrs said. “Based on the talk

on the street and what we’re hearing from people, there’s been an

awful lot of talk about Sugar Ray and the Beach Boys and Super

Diamond.”

The three-day festival continues through Sunday at Fashion Island

in Newport Beach. Some of the proceeds go to benefit local charities.

Tickets and electronic scrip for food purchases are available at the

gate. For more information, visit https://www.TasteOfNewport.com or

call the chamber at (949) 729-4400.