BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COLERAIN TOWNSHIP -- There will be samplings from 14 restaurants and plenty of music at the weekend's Taste of Colerain which starts today at the Colerain Township Senior & Community Center.
For the first time, the township is sponsoring the event along with the LaSalle Council Knights of Columbus which has hosted the event the last nine years.
"We're expecting more people this year," said Steve Beckman, one of the organizers.
Rain last year kept the weekend crowd to 20,000 to 25,000. Organizers hope for 35,000 to 40,000 this weekend.
In addition to the restaurants, 33 other organizations have booths, including the Colerain Township Business Association and civic groups.
"It's the largest township in Ohio," said Mr. Beckman.
"We want to bring more of a sense of unity to the largest township in Ohio."
Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. today and Saturday, and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Shuttle service will be provided to the senior center from the Colerain middle school at Springdale and Poole roads.
Taste is a point of pride for Colerain.
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IF YOU GO
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 What: Taste of Colerain Twp.
Where: 4300 Springdale Road.
When: 5 to 11 p.m. today and Saturday; 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
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"This gives us a sense of identity and participation in the community," said Trustee Joseph Wolterman.
"With the township involved, more restaurants get involved, there's more entertainment.
"It should be bigger. We'd like to see it grow every year," Mr. Wolterman said.
"I look at Taste as a meeting place -- a place where you meet your friends, meet your neighbors. It adds to the quality of life of the area."
Organizers have lined up a varied music program, including a steel band, swing, Cajun music, rock and country.
Metro City Band (oldies, blues) performs 5 to 7:30 p.m. tonight, while Impact (classic rock) performs 8 to 11 p.m.
Pete Wagner Band (big band and swing) performs 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday; Stagger Lee (country) is on 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday.
Miami University Steel Band performs 3 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday; Robin Lacy & DeZydeco (Cajun) performs 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Those benefiting from the Taste include the Colerain Township Business Association's scholarship fund and Serve Our Neighbors (SON) Ministries, a local food pantry.
