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What better thing to do with two beautiful days in April than get a - Taste of Ashland What to expect A Taste Of Ashland (ATOA) is a walking tour of downtown Ashland that pleases all the senses. Participants will not only experience the visual arts but also music, delicious food and beverages, along with the festive atmosphere, which comes from taking an afternoon off to have fun. Unlike other festivals ATOA is celebrated throughout downtown Ashland. This allows participants to truly experience what is unique about Ashland and its businesses vs. being in one location where character and identity can be lost. By being welcomed into each gallery the participant can really focus on that venue spending as much time as they like. How it works Participants first purchase their tickets ahead of time via the Ashland Gallery Association (AGA) website or in person at the Hanson Howard Gallery, located in downtown Ashland. If they wish to wait until the day of the event they need to purchase their tickets at the information booth located in the Plaza of downtown Ashland (across from the entrance to Lithia Park). Once they have their tickets they need to pick up their event bag at a participating gallery or at the information booth. The ticket is designed to be worn around the neck easily noticed so the participant can receive the royal treatment. The event bag is filled with a wine glass for tasting (which many collect each year); a poster of the event (which can be signed by the artist), the AGA annual gallery guide, and the event guide with is acts as the map to the treasure hunt, listing all participants and their locations. Each participant can begin his or her adventure from any location and the pace most comfortable. Who is involved? The galleries involved in ATOA must be members of the highest level, which means their primary focus is art. This guarantees art lovers of all kinds can find something they enjoy. The food and beverage providers are chosen for their quality and variety. The AGA tries to include some new businesses along with old favorites so that the event is different each year. The majority of the providers are restaurants and wineries. However, this year A Taste of Ashland also has a brewery, bakery, creamery, coffee roaster, fresh juice, catering companies, and a chocolatier. So, comfortable shoes are a must and loose clothing is recommended. (Be prepared to indulge). Because there are so many food and beverage providers they are not all available each day so purchasing tickets for both days is recommended. This also gives the participant more time to enjoy each location. History of A Taste Of Ashland The Ashland Chamber of Commerce created the event in 1988. It was held in January in one location with the goal of promoting businesses in the off-season. After five years the Chamber chose to discontinue the event. At that point the AGA had been formed and decided to take over the event and make it more of a downtown experience. Due to weather the event was moved to spring and is now held the last weekend of April. The AGA is a non-profit organization with the mission of promoting visual arts in our community. They do so by emphasizing local artists during the event and throughout the year. The poster artwork is chosen to honor a local artist. For example, Judy Howard, of Hanson Howard Gallery was on the first committee back in 1988 and also the first artist to be featured on the poster. "The event has continued to evolve into one of Ashland's main annual events," says Howard. "Not only is it an fun experience for participants but it is the key fund raiser for the AGA, making up 50% of our annual budget. Most people do not realize how much they're helping the community by participating in this event." LINKS: REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. DAILY TIDINGS: Main | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -