Seventeen local restaurants will participate, providing a “taste” of menu items to patrons who get to experience almost all the culinary variety Sylva has to offer in a single afternoon. 

Downtown restaurants participating at their own locations include City Lights Cafe, Cosmic Carryout, Eric’s Fresh Fish Market, Guadalupe Cafe, Heinzelmannchen Brewing, Innovation Brewing, Lulu’s on Main, Mad Batter Food and Film, Papou’s Wine Shop, Perk and Pastry Bistro, Remedy and Signature Brew. Restaurants set up at McGuire Gardens include Half Past, Jack the Dipper, Mindy’s Bakery, O’Malley’s Pub & Grill, South of Philly and Harris Regional Hospital.

The event will also feature live music and, new this year, a youth art competition called The Art of Healthy Eating, which is open to all Jackson County youth, ages 3-18. Youth are encouraged to create a piece of art that represents what healthy eating means to them. Art will be displayed in participating businesses in downtown Sylva from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 3. The artwork deadline has been extended, with submissions due Friday, Sept. 26 to the Jackson County Department of Public Health. All participants in The Art of Healthy Eating competition will receive a Young Artist Ticket to be used at the Taste of Sylva. This ticket will allow youth to participate in five events at the Taste of Sylva for free, including samples from various restaurants, bike safety checks, and giveaways. For more information on the art contest, contact Melissa McKnight at the Jackson County Department of Public Health at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The event is sponsored by the Mainstreet Sylva Association. All proceeds will benefit community programs and initiatives.

Tickets are on sale now at participating restaurants. They are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. 

www.mainstreetsylva.org.