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About 3,000 people braved hot weather and long lines to attend Taste of the Valley in Provo on Thursday -- double the expected number, according to an early estimate from Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce President Steve Densley.
"We far, far, far exceeded anything we expected," he said. "It's been by far the biggest one we've ever held." Twenty-four vendors showed up to offer samples of their cuisine and other wares to attendees. Maestro's Gelato Cafe boasted the longest line, which trailed halfway across the Historic County Courthouse line with people seeking a cool respite. Among entree vendors, P.F. Chang's China Bistro attracted more eager eaters than anywhere else. Its chicken lettuce wraps and ribs with five-spice seasoning did not disappoint, many reported. Shane Loftus, 37, brought his wife and two kids from Spanish Fork for the day. Sitting in the grass and eating from a box full of food, Loftus said it's a great way to spend the Pioneer Day holiday together. "This is a good time for our kids," he said. "When we go out with them to restaurants, we'll know what they eat." Loftus's daughter, 9-year-old Baylee, made that job easy for her dad. "I think that I like Macaroni Grill," she said. Brigham Young University students Richard Lindsley and Whitney Mosley made it their goal to visit every booth before the afternoon was over -- a feat they prepared for ahead of time. "We didn't eat that much breakfast, so we're good," Mosley said. Early in the afternoon, Lindsley said Tucanos Brazilian Grill's abacaxi, or grilled pineapple, was his favorite of the day. Other local restaurants making appearances included Noodles & Company, Rumbi Island Grill, Lon's Cookin' Shack, La Carreta Peruvian Restaurant, Goodwood Barbecue Company and Utah Kernels. Masseuses-in-training were on hand from Provo College to relieve some of the stress of the masticular mayhem. Last year, about 1,200 people attended the event. Organizers anticipated about 1,500 this year, but all 1,700 tickets were sold and people were being turned away by the second hour of the three-hour event, Densley said. At $8 apiece or $30 for the family, the Chamber raised around $13,000. Spokeswoman Anna Rose Johnson said the money will go toward putting on more events during the year to raise interest in local businesses. But Taste of the Valley, now in its 17th year, does a pretty good job of that all by itself, she said. "It's a chance for valley restaurants to show community members what they have to offer," she said. "Sometimes we have smaller restaurants that maybe don't have a wide name in the valley." For at least one eater, it worked. "It's good to get a sense of the local fare so you know what's in Provo and Orem," Mosley said.
• Ace Stryker can be reached at 344-2556 or at
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