Blog: Volunteers Needed for Taste of Newport

I hope your appetites -- and spirit of volunteerism-- are ready, because the 24th annual Taste of Newport is almost here.

The three-day foodie fest is the biggest annual event for its host, the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, and it will be in town from Friday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 16 on Newport Center Drive at Fashion Island.

I need not tell you this food event is one of the biggest around, and draws some of the best food providers, biggest crowds and best entertainment. The Taste of Newport dishes will be whipped up by chefs from nearly 35 Newport Beach restaurants, and drinks from 15 California wineries. Every year this mega event draws in excess of 50,000 food loving locals and many from far away, so it requires a huge volunteer crew  to make it all work.

"Each year we need at least 1,000 or more people to be adequately staffed," Lauren Cohn, the event's volunteer coordinator, told Patch. "That takes a lot of effort from many directions."

Volunteers will receve free admission to the Taste of Newport on the day they volunteer and a T-shirt. Visit tasteofnewport.com/event.aspx for more volunteer information and to sign-up.

For specific volunteer questions, email Lauren Cohn at lcohn@newportbeach.com, or call 949-729-4400. I’ll be volunteering next Saturday, from 3:30 to 8 p.m. so if you want to say hello, let me know and I’ll post where I will be stationed.

The Taste of Newport will be underway on Friday, Sept. 14th from 6 to 11 p.m.; 11:00pm, Saturday, Sept. 15 from 4 to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 16 from noon to 8 p.m. This year’s musical entertainment inlcudes Andy Grammer on Friday, Blondie and Devo headlining Saturday, Roger Hodgson: The Legendary Voice of Supertramp on Sunday and more!

Taste of Newport tickets can be purchased online for $22, or at the event gate for $25. Children under the age of 8 get in for free.