Taste of Putnam, First Friday join forces this week

First Friday in downtown Greencastle has come to be known for its monthly menu of music and food.

And this Friday, as the calendar turns to September, expect an enhanced version of both food and music as the annual Taste of Putnam County event joins First Friday for the initial time.

While the accent is obviously on food with the Taste of Putnam featuring 16 vendors for the 6-9 p.m. event, the music won't be shortchanged either. Two musical stages are also slated for this Friday's event.

On the traditional First Friday stage on the north side of he square will be the Jack Gibson Band, while a stage at the south end of Indiana Street where it meets Walnut Street will feature performances by local groups Legend Puncher and Blues Side Up.

Meanwhile, food vendor tickets will be sold in four locations including a floater to ensure that customers lined up for food have properly purchased tickets before standing in line to sample the vendors' wares.

Food vendor tickets will be $1 each -- some items may take more than one ticket to purchase -- and will allow attendees to sample the offerings of Taste participants set up along the north and east sides of the square, as well as those along the block of South Indiana between Washington and Walnut that also will be closed to traffic during this week's event.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brian Cox has announced that vendors will include Almost Home, Blondies and Brownies, Bon Appetit, Boulder Run, Completely Nuts and Candy Co., Eitel's Florist, Fluttering Duck, Li'l Country Kitchen, Myers' Market, Putnam County Hospital, Putnam Inn, Starbucks, Smitten Kitten Bakery and Cafe, Tap House 24, Wasser Brewing and possibly more.

Big Bounce Fun House will have inflatables on hand for the family event.

Attendees will be able to vote for the best food at The Taste with the winning participant being awarded the annul Taste of Putnam County Traveling Plate.

Rain date for the Taste of Putnam County will be the October First Friday event, set for Oct. 7.