SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Ava Bolien, 13, a student at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Port Charlotte, helps her father Sam sell their Alabama-grown pecans Saturday at the Taste of Punta Gorda in Laishley Park, a showcase for local food and beverage vendors.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Jason Delaura shares his sausage and peppers sandwich from Scotty’s Daug House with Debbie Childs.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Glen Stewart adds a few dashes of tartar sauce to his fish and chips from the Celtic Ray booth, while Alan Rubin waits patiently for the sauce.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Two-fisted beer drinker Larry Nelson found “the” taste of the day.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Savannah Mock, 9, and Olivia Bisson, 8, won cowbells and balloon animals at the Rays booth manned by David Farby.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Charlotte Tedeschi enjoyed crab cakes from the Isles Yacht Club.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
More than 500 pounds of Big John’s Soul Food was cooked and served by Neal Gomillia, John Lloyd and Alicia Hanson at the Taste of Punta Gorda.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Too Tall Torrie Heathcoat was an added attraction at this year’s Taste of Punta Gorda.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Mary Ridal opts for a taste of German Bratz and Potatoes from Sandra’s Restaurant, served up by Rainer and Sandra Ruhland.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Joyce D’Aigneault, her husband Gino, Ken Mancuso and his wife Elaine enjoy Working Cow Ice Cream.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Bonnie and Carl Rehling with the Charlotte Harbor Rotary came out to support the Punta Gorda Rotary, which sponsored the Taste of Punta Gorda.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Paul Cottrell was part of the live entertainment for the event.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Katie Finnigan serves up Jimmy’s Tacos to guests at the Taste of Punta Gorda Saturday in Laishley Park.