BRUNSWICK — A busy summer season in downtown Brunswick will kick off with the annual Taste of Brunswick festival June 14.

The festival, now in its seventh year, is an opportunity to display the diverse selection of food offered in the town, said Brunswick Downtown Association Director Debora King. 

More than 15 restaurants, offering everything from Indian and Vietnamese cuisine to coffee and donuts, are lined up to showcase their fare at the festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A large tent will be erected on the Town Mall on Maine Street to accommodate the restaurants, who will be serving food until 3 p.m.

Although they’ll receive samples, rather than full meals, people should be prepared to bring a hearty appetite, King said. Last year she overheard a complaint that there was too much food.

“That’s a complaint I like to hear,” King said. “Nobody will go away hungry.”

Sea Dog Brewing Co. will set up a separate beer and wine tent, offering locally brewed beers. 

Starting at noon, live music in the gazebo will also be provided by The Mink Hills Band and the Colwell Brothers Band. People are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the entertainment. 

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the festival will be featuring decorations reminiscent of antique Americana, such as patriotic bunting and flags, King said.

Volunteers from Maine State Music Theater will also be roaming the crowd decked out in 19th-century period costumes, in advance of MSMT’s Chamberlain Ball that evening.

Brunswick Downtown Association usually donates a portion of the proceeds from the festival to Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. This year, the association decided to partner with the Pejepscot Historical Society to keep with the festival’s history theme, King said. 

Taste of Brunswick leads a season of events on the mall and throughout downtown, including the Music on the Mall concert series, held every Wednesday starting June 25, and the Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival in mid-August.

Admission to Taste of Brunswick costs $22 in advance and $25 at the door; children’s tickets are $12, and ages 12 and under get free admission. For more information and a full list of participating restaurants go to brunswickdowntown.org.

Peter L. McGuire can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 100 or pmcguire@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter @mcguiremidcoast. 

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