A longtime Lexington tradition is getting a new look and feel in 2008.  This year’s Taste of the Bluegrass, set for Friday, May 30 at the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center at Keeneland, is getting a makeover.

The 28th edition of Taste will feature extended hours (7-11 p.m.) and the addition of an “after hours” tent with a live band and dance floor! The Taste annually features great local restaurants and beverage distributors sharing their signature dishes and beverages and a silent auction. Now, attendees will have the chance to extend the fun an extra hour while dancing to the music of “Caught Red Handed,” a well-known Lexington band.

The event is co-hosted by God’s Pantry Food Bank and the Bluegrass Chapter of the Kentucky Restaurant Association.

Restaurants already signed up for this year’s event include: Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy; American Culinary Federation; Applecreek Farms; Azur Restaurant; bd’s Mongolian Grill; Boone Tavern; Bourbon & Toulousse; Critchfield Meats; deSha’s Restaurant; Great Harvest Bread Company; Hall’s on the River; Hilton Suites of Lexington Green; Holly Hill Inn & Wallace Station; Horse & Barrel Pub; Kern’s Kitchen; Kroger’s Chef Shoppes; Moe’s Southwestern Grill; The Pub; Railheads at the Depot; Rossi’s; The Signature Club; Stolichrya Vodka; Tinker’s Cake Shop; Tony Roma’s; & Turf Catering.

Beverage distributors lined up for the event are Acres of Land Winery; Alltech’s Lexington Brewing Co.; Buffalo Trace Distillery; Clark Distributing; Elk Creek Vineyards; Equus Run Vineyard; Four Roses Distillery; Jean Farris Winery; Havana Beverages; Horseshoe Bend Winery; John Conti Coffee; Kentucky Eagle Beer; Maker’s Mark; Mclain & Kyne Distillery; Pepsi Cola of Lexington; Sara Lee Coffee; Southern Wine & Spirits and Wild Turkey Bourbon.

Tickets for the 2008 Taste of the Bluegrass are on sale now at all Central Kentucky Joseph-Beth, Central Bank, Liquor Barn and Kroger locations. Tickets are $65 per person ($40 of which is tax deductible and the price includes alcoholic beverages.) Tickets will also be available for purchase by calling God’s Pantry Food Bank at 859-255-6592.