Coming Saturday: Taste Chandler

Have you got your tickets for Taste Chandler yet? The city’s third annual culinary festival takes place Saturday in downtown’s A.J. Chandler Park.

The biggest change this year is moving the former evening event to the afternoon – noon to 6 p.m. – which will allow restaurants to participate without cannibalizing their Saturday night staffs. (The downside? The  forecast is calling for unseasonably warm triple-digit temperatures.)

Somewhere around 1,200 people are expected to attend the 21-and-over event. The $45 general admission – just $35 if you buy on the website before Saturday – lets you sample food and drink from nearly 40 Chandler restaurants (see list).

Also new this year: Three “lounge tents” – one for wine, one for craft beer and one for spirits – but it will cost you an extra $10 to enter each lounge. The lounges will feature tastings and cooking demos.

There also will be live jazz, a silent auction and “Best Of” awards.