GIRARD Chamber showcases food event

The cuisine will be varied, including Italian, Oriental and baked goods.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- If you're looking for a variety of foods to taste under one tent, downtown Girard is the place for you Saturday afternoon.
It's the first Taste of Girard sponsored by the Greater Girard Area Chamber of Commerce.
Look for the big tent at State and Main streets.
"We want to get the word out that something good is happening in Girard," said Bob Courtney, owner of Golong Cigar Shop on East Liberty Street.
Courtney said that during a chamber meeting, members were discussing the success of Mikeee's, a North State Street bar and restaurant known for its large portions of food, and the upcoming reopening of Amen Corner, a tavern around the corner on West Main Street.
"We just came up with the idea," Courtney said, noting that the chamber members wanted to promote their restaurants.
With at least 15 city eateries participating, the cuisine offered will be diverse -- Italian, Oriental, hot dogs, baked goods and more.
Discovery
Courtney said he didn't realize there were 15 restaurants in the city until he started looking for participants.
Cost is five tickets for $5 or 15 tickets for $13.
Visitors with an appetite buy the tickets and use them to buy foods they want in the tent.
Proceeds will go to the chamber's scholarship fund.
Initial plans called for Taste of Girard to include a craft show.
Kathy Laneve, owner of Imperial Shoes and Boutique on West Liberty Street, said not enough vendors signed up to participate.
"Hopefully, next year we'll get a better response," she said.