By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A half dozen new restaurants are among 23 participants who will offer their signature dishes during a mouth-watering Yukon special event.
Yukon Parks & Recreation’s ever-popular “Taste of Yukon” will return in grand fashion next Thursday, March 24 inside the Dale Robertson Center, 1200 Lakeshore. Hungry residents are welcome to stop by between 5:30-7:30 p.m. to satisfy their appetites.
Several hundred people are expected to converge on the event site – and tickets are going fast.
A 20-year tradition returns for the first time since 2019 under the leadership of Chris Lucas, who became Yukon Parks & Recreation director last December.
“We’re excited to bring this event back again to Yukon,” Lucas said. “Our local community and restaurants are excited as well, and it shows by the number of vendors that we have.”
Lucas is well pleased to see the response from Yukon-area eateries, considering staffing struggles faced by many in the food-service industry.
“People love food and they’ll be something for everyone to enjoy,” he said. “We’re all looking forward to getting people out and acquainted with some great food options.”
Attendees will taste samples of main courses, appetizers and desserts provided by:
Bad Brad’s BBQ, Cici’s Pizza, Del Taco, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Green Chile Kitchen Route 66, Interurban Restaurant, Louie’s Grill & Bar, Earl’s Rib Palace, Alfredo’s Mexican Café, The Lokal, Tony’s Pizza and Gyros, The Baked Bear Ice Cream Sandwiches, Raising Cane’s, City Bites, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, The Nutrition Place, Coffee Jerks, Yukon Mobile Meals, Frosted Cactus Cupcakes and More, Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill, and Rounders Pizza.
Drinks will be provided from the event’s title sponsor, Weokie Credit Union.
The list of participating eateries features some Taste of Yukon “returnees” and other restaurants new to Yukon.
FIRST ‘TASTE’ SINCE MARCH ‘19
Yukon tastebuds are being tempted as March 24 draws closer – especially since this will be the first Taste of Yukon in three years!
The last Taste of Yukon was the 20th annual presented March 28, 2019.
COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions forced the City of Yukon to cancel this yummy extravaganza in March 2020 and March 2021.
Next Thursday’s Taste of Yukon is geared toward adults; but all ages are welcome.
Tickets are now on sale at the Yukon Community Center, 2200 S Holly; Dale Robertson Center, 1200 Lakeshore; and Jackie Cooper Gym, 1024 Main.
Advance tickets cost $10 for anyone age 10 years and above and $7 for children ages 9 years and below.
On the day of the event, ticket prices increase to $12 and $10.
Ticket sales have been brisk, surpassing the pace from 2019.
“I recommend that people get tickets – and get them quick!” Lucas said. “And if they wait and come after 5:30 p.m. (March 24), there may be a long line.”
For more information about the 2022 Taste of Yukon, call (405) 350-8937 or visit www.yukonok.gov.
The Taste of Yukon debuted in 2000 after Jan Scott brought the idea with her from Edmond.
Soon after becoming Yukon Parks & Recreation director in 1999, Scott thought a food tasting festival would make a great addition to Yukon’s special event line-up.
Scott’s Yukon Parks & Recreation “crew” helped introduce and expand other Yukon special events like Festival of the Child, the Mayor’s Christmas Party, Freedom Fest, and Sounds of the Season.
This group included longtime YPR employees Joanne Oltmanns, Kelle Freels, Chris Coleman, Tim Rhodes, Dennis Warren, Jarrett Kelough, Quincy Rinkle, Jeff Deckard, Mike Elder, and Sheri Shoemaker.
