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> Features > Pg 2 Feature Stories > Taste the best of the valley in West Springfield
Taste the best of the valley in West Springfield
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Sarabjit Chawla of Pintu's Restaurant serves Indian cuisine to those attending the West Side's Taste of the Valley Preview on May 20. Reminder Publications photo by Stephanie Brault
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By Katelyn Gendron
Reminder Assistant Editor
WEST SPRINGFIELD This June the Rotary Club of West Springfield will once again be infusing the town common with the lively entertainment, delicious foods and rich culture that Greater Springfield has to offer at the Ninth Annual West Side's Taste of the Valley proving that those in Western Massachusetts need not travel to Boston or New York to partake in the unique taste that is the metropolitan lifestyle.
From June 5 through 8, the Park Street Common will be filled with spectators enjoying the food of 12 different featured restaurants, live entertainment, carnival rides and games for people of all ages.
George Kelly, member of the "Taste" Committee, emphasized the importance of the event as an avenue to unite the community and expose others to the dining and entertainment venues they might not have realized were in their own back yards.
"There's a lot that people don't know about West Springfield," Mayor Edward Gibson said, noting the diverse restaurants as one of the town's highlights.
This year's Taste will feature B'Shara's Eatery, which will be serving tomato and elbow macaroni soup on behalf of the Soupy for Loopy Foundation. The foundation was created in honor of West Springfield resident Laura "Loopy" Sypek, who lost her battle with neuroblastoma, a form of pediatric cancer, at 11 years old. While in treatment she would eat the soup as a source of comfort.
The event will also feature cuisine from Cracker Barrel, Thai Taste, Moolicious, Millie's Pierogi, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Jonathan's, Carol's Concessions, Bottega Cucina, Mama Mia's, West Side Youth Football and Pintu's.
Sarabjit Chawia (Pintu) said he always enjoys participating in the "Taste" because he's able to break the myths surrounding Indian cuisine. He explained that the food is not spicy but that many spices are used within each dish.
Live entertainment will begin on June 5 at 4 p.m. when Jimmy Mazz takes the stage. Mazz is a singer and impersonator of such famous acts as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. The country music cover band, Rustler Band, will take the stage at 5 p.m., followed by A.J. Rubino, performing a Johnny Cash tribute.
Lisa Martin, a folk-rock artist, will kick off the entertainment at 4:30 p.m. on June 6, followed by the Glamour Girls, who will perform 1980s dance hits. The Timetrippers will perform at 7:30 p.m., followed by the All-Star Dyn-O-Myte Disco Review, a "Flashback to the '70s" band.
The "Taste" will also feature another event on June 6 for locals to showoff their vintage beauties cars, that is. Cruise night will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. with the top four cars receiving prizes.
At 1:30 p.m. on June 7 the Brass Attack of Springfield will open the live entertainment, performing chart-topping hits from the past 30 years. The day will also feature the classic rock group the Blood Moles at 3 p.m. and the funk-soul group called Jus.Us Band at 4 p.m. Poet, singer, songwriter and composer Sean McMahon will take the stage at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Southern Comfort Band at 6 p.m. The roadhouse blues group BluesHead will perform at 8 p.m. and the Smokin' South Band will cap off the evening at 9 p.m.
The final day of the "Taste" will feature Zoe Darrow and the Fiddleheads at 12:30 p.m. This band plays the tunes of traditional Celtic music. The Cabeys will take the stage at 2 p.m. performing Irish ballads and dance songs and the Rising, an Irish rock band, will close out the "Taste" entertainment series beginning at 4 p.m.
For more information about the West Side's Taste of the Valley go to www.westsidetaste.com.
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