Downtown Suffolk ready for old-fashioned street party

 Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the city's incorporation by tasting it, dancing to its rhythms, shopping at its downtown boutiques and checking out its wheels.

The third annual Taste of Suffolk Downtown Street Festival - the city's family-friendly street party - takes place Satday along downtown's North Main and Washington streets areas.

Admission is free, parking is free and shuttle buses from the nearby lots, although they're close enough for strollers, are also free.

The festival is organized and planned by Suffolk's Parks and Recreation Department and its Visitor's Center, with input from most city departments.

"We organize this to provide a fun, free and entertaining family event while bringing attention to the many unique merchants and restaurants we have downtown," said Theresa Earles, Suffolk's tourism development coordinator. "It's to bring pedestrian traffic back downtown in a fun way."

Can't decide which restaurant to choose? No problem there.

As the event's name implies, Saturday's party will include lots of munchies and treats. Downtown eateries along with other city restaurants and food services will be along the streets offering their specialities. The tastings will either offer free samples or charge nominal prices.

"We're incorporating more of a taste element this year," Earles said. "We want to emphasize the dining options of our Main Street restaurants as well as dining establishments throughout the city. This is to introduce folks to what there is to eat across Suffolk."

Downtown restaurants will offer specialties and signature foods inside each facility along with booths along the street. Several large tents will include other Suffolk-area eateries, a farmers' market offering fresh locally grown produce, and local artisans exhibiting their creations.

While browsing and chewing, folks will be entertained with walking tours highlighting the city's historic downtown, and an array of street performers including Jim, the amazing stilt-walking juggler.

The party's Main Stage and Family Stage will offer popular musical performers from Suffolk and elsewhere in the area.

"We're appealing to all music lovers, to a wide variety of different musical tastes," Earles said.

Looking to boogie down and do the electric slide? Hotcakes, that popular regional party band, will take care of that.

Want some expert guitar playing and vocals? Chesapeake's popular Lewis McGehee will provide folky pop and rock.

For rock fans looking for high-energy original songs, another Chesapeake act, the five-member Joe Gosman Band (who opened for the Smithereens at last May's Chesapeake Jubilee) will be on hand to perform tunes from its album "Where Is Home?" Music critics and fans have equated Gosman's music to Matchbox 20, the Bob Seger Band and INXS.

Local stompers the Peanut City Cloggers will perform expert Americana and Appalachian dance steps set to roots music. Gospel violinist Eric Taylor will dazzle folks with his bowing and finger work, while Portsmouth resident Shamel Shiloh will inspire with his holy hip-hop and Christian rap taken from his 2008 release, "He Is Alive." The Ancient Men quartet will showcase classic rock and original contemporary Christian tunes, while the Team Jesus Music Group duo will keep the party going with its inspirational beats.

The kids can work off that excess energy and all those sweet street goodies at the children's area, which will include games, Radio Disney, bounce houses, a clown, and face painting.

And while Sis and Junior have fun with free balloons and games, Mom can browse the area's gift shops, boutiques and galleries.

"We're also here to showcase the many unique shops and merchants downtown has to offer," Earles said.

And Dad can check out all the cool wheels on display at the New Vehicle Exhibition featuring the latest street models courtesy of Duke Automotive, Mike Duman Auto Sales and Starr Motors.

In need of still more stimulation and competition? The street party also will feature eating contests, so get your stomach stretched. And the Greater Suffolk Council will sponsor a cornhole tournament, so practice your bean-bag accuracy.

"We simply encourage people to shop, dine and play, locally," Earles said. "It's a street party."

Eric Feber, 222-5203,

eric.feber@pilotonline.com