Hosting a party for 12,000 people takes a lot of planning?a full year?s worth. But when the party stands to raise over $75,000 for charity, Denise Marshall Roller is up to the task.
Roller serves as the Director of Public Affairs for Community Residences, Inc., a local nonprofit serving the homeless and people with mental retardation, mental illness and physical disabilities.
She also chairs the leadership council for the 16th annual Taste of Arlington, the street festival benefiting Community Residences. The event is scheduled for noon-5 p.m. Sunday, May 18 on Wilson Boulevard, outside Ballston Common Mall. Roller promises this year?s event will be bigger than before, featuring food from local restaurants, autographed celebrity memorabilia for auction and live music and children?s activities.
Last year, organizers expected the event to draw a crowd of about 7,000. Over 10,000 showed up, making it the largest single-day event in the county all year. This year, with 30 restaurants from around the Capital region participating, organizers expect an even bigger turnout, with hopes of raising $75,000 to fund Community Residences programs that serve 800 clients in Arlington, and over 1,200 throughout the region, each year.
?These are folks that live right in Arlington and in the neighboring jurisdictions that we serve,? said Roller.
Before last year, Taste of Arlington took place in Shirlington. Moving to Ballston, where visitors have convenient Metro access, allowed the event to grow, say organizers. ?I think the location is working for the area of Ballston in that it brings vitality to the area, and it?s working for the event,? said Stephanie Shriver-Engdahl, marketing director for Ballston Common Mall. ?I think it?s been a win-win.?
FEEDING A CROWD of thousands means plenty of work for local restaurants. ?It?s a great opportunity for Arlington residents to come out, contribute, enjoy the day?and see what all the restaurants can do,? said Susan Anderson, catering manager at Whitlow?s on Wilson.
Playing on the alliteration of the restaurant?s name, Anderson decided Whitlow?s theme for this year?s Taste would be ?wings and watermelon.?
?We?ve got a great recipe for the wings,? she said.
Rock Bottom Brewery and Restaurant will be bringing some customer-favorites. ?We?re going to do our Tuscan smoked chicken salad and our carrot cake, and also our beer will be out there,? said Lynn Looft, special events coordinator for Rock Bottom.
Visitors will get more for samples for their money this year. Ticket books are good for eight tastes instead of six, like last year, and are available for $20 before May 8 or $25. Admission is free.
Kids will stay busy thanks to an interactive area including a 53-foot mobile rain forest unit provided by the National Science Foundation.
And for singles, organizers teamed with ABC 7 to bring a live local version of the television show ?The Bachelor? to the event. The bachelor and contestants will participate in on-stage interviews and mini-dates and will receive prizes and perks from sponsoring organizations.
On the main stage, sponsored by Virginia Commerce Bank, Cityscape, a 9-piece horn band will warm up the crowd with Motown, Disco and Oldies before well-known cover band Gonzo?s Nose takes over.