Imagine an early autumn gathering in a woodland paradise illuminated with strings of twinkling lights and the smiles of around 400 people enjoying the evening.
On the menu is a veritable feast, courtesy of nearly 40 local food and drink vendors serving samples of their signature items.
This imagined event becomes reality with the 15th Taste of Hoover at Aldridge Gardens on October 15, 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
“Taste of Hoover was created with a simple goal: to bring the community together while celebrating the incredible local restaurants, bakeries, breweries and beverage providers that make Hoover a vibrant place to live and visit,” said Kristen Valentine, events coordinator with the City of Hoover. “What began as an opportunity to highlight the city's diverse culinary scene is now a community tradition.”
For the price of a ticket, guests can enjoy a diverse selection of local food and beverage offerings, ranging from artisan coffee and handcrafted desserts to authentic Mexican cuisine and classic Southern comfort food.
Taste of Hoover tickets are available at www.aldridgegardens.com. The price for Aldridge Gardens members is $45; for non-members, $50.
Onsite parking is available at Aldridge Gardens. Overflow parking will be provided in Trader Joe's parking lot at 1769 Montgomery Highway. Shuttles will run from 4:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
“Taste of Hoover offers a unique opportunity for the community to come together and experience the flavors that define our city,” said Valentine. “By showcasing a diverse collection of vendors, the event celebrates the people and businesses that make Hoover special.”
About Aldridge Gardens
The vision for Aldridge Gardens began in 1966 when horticulturalist Eddie Aldridge visited the Coxe Family Estate on Lorna Road to plant some magnolia trees. He immediately saw the potential for turning the property into a public garden. But it wasn’t until he and his wife Kay purchased the property in 1977 that he could begin laying the groundwork.
In the meantime, Eddie and his father had discovered a double-flowering oakleaf hydrangea and patented it as the Snowflake Hydrangea. Now the official flower of the City of Hoover, the Snowflake Hydrangea thrives in abundance in the Gardens, putting on a stunning floral display during late spring and into the summer.
To ensure the property would remain a public garden in perpetuity, the Aldridges donated the estate to the City of Hoover in 1997. Aldridge Gardens opened to the public in 2002.