The Taste of Lynwood, the beloved block party and quasi-annual neighborhood celebration of the island’s “other” downtown, will return from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 to Lynwood Center.
Hosted by the owners, merchants, friends and neighbors of the Lynwood Center neighborhood, the event features live music, tasty eats and, of course, the Baker Hill Challenge, the fundraising fun run which begins the day’s festivities.
The second annual Bainbridge Youth Services 1-mile “mild-but-wild” uphill footrace begins at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Baker Hill Road and Lynwood Center Road. All proceeds go to Bainbridge Youth Services in support of its free counseling, tutoring and job services programs.
Entrance fees are pay-what-you-can. Visit www.bifunrun.org/baker-hill- challenge to learn more and register.
This year’s Main Stage lineup begins rocking promptly at noon, with Recess Monkey being first up.
The trio of teachers that make up this critically-lauded act create tunes spawned by days in the classroom. They’ve been praised across the country for singable, danceable songs that parents enjoy as much as their children. Acclaimed by People, Time, USA Today, The New York Times and NPR for their pitch-perfect understanding of what gets kids excited, Recess Monkey is known for high-energy shows and laugh-out-loud funny lyrics that capture the essence of being young.
At 2 p.m., The Paperboys take the stage.
For a quarter century, The Paperboys have been touring the world and lighting up stages with their freewheeling blend of influences, from Celtic and bluegrass, to Mexican son Jarocho, brass bands, and Canadian roots. They have been called everything from Cajun slamgrass to world beat, they’ve received a Juno award (Canadian Grammy), plus two Juno nominations, and two West Coast Music Awards.
Then, at 5 p.m., welcome back LeRoy Bell.
A perennial favorite at the Taste of Lynwood, Leroy Bell has performed with B.B. King, Van Morrison, Etta James, Al Green, Michael McDonald, Colin Hay, Mavis Staples, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Leon Russell, Sonny Landreth, Charlie Musselwhite and Los Lobos, to name a few. In 2011, Bell applied for the “The X Factor” and finished eighth overall in the inaugural season.
On the nearby Roost Stage, Batucada Percussion Jam, a Brazilian community percussion ensemble-style group, kicks things off from 11 a.m. to noon.
Whozyamama (Cajun, Creole and Zydeco) plays from 1 to 2 p.m., and The Cuban Heels (Western dance) from 4 to 5 p.m.
Food vendors include Bainbridge Island Beignets, Clara’s Wok N Roll, Emmy’s Vege House, J’aime Les Crepes, Kurdish Kitchen Cuisine, Pane d’Amore Artisan Bakery, Sawatdy, Scoops Brats and Nuts, Walt’s Market and Wanderlust NW Catering.
Also on display will be booths and displays by Bay Massage and Skin Care, Drinking Straws & Glass, Erika Laureano Design, Fire Dragon Acupuncture, H2O at Home, Living Well Chiropractic & Massage, Lucky Lumi Handmade Goods, Mike Biskup, Pac Westy, Scents of the Northwest, Shelly Tails, Smith Brothers Farms, Spalted Home, Suzanne Harrison Home, Usborne Books and More, Vandoit, WASH and Your Personal Crafter, among others.
Visit www.tasteoflynwood.org to learn more.
