From barbecued chicken to cupcakes, the second annual Taste of Eau Claire has every meal course covered.

"We started out with a cranberry and wild rice bratwurst," says attendee Garth Melville.

"There's something for everybody here,” says event co-chair Mark Willer.

He says about ten thousand people flooded Phoenix Park Sunday to see what area restaurants have to offer.

"It gives people a change to try something that, a lot of people don't even know that we have it," says Hahn’s Market owner Brian Hahn.

He says it's good for business and charity, since twenty percent of the profits go to the United Way of Greater Eau Claire.

And they say the cost isn't bad either. Event goers pay a dollar a ticket, and they can use those tickets on whatever food tempts their taste buds.

"There's nothing on any of the menus that's over $5," says Willer.

And attendees say it gives them a chance to break out of their shells.

"There are certain places they know they like. Well, here's a chance to meet places you don't know you like," says Melville.

While there's children’s games, crafts and live music at the event, consumers say the feast is what they came for.

"Food is one of my hobbies," says Melville.

And with Mother Nature on their side, they say it's a great way to kick off the summer.

"I wish they booked weather like this more often," says Melville.

Willer says Sam’s Club and Outback Steakhouse donated 100% of the funds to make the Taste of Eau Claire possible.

And he says if you missed it this year, get ready to make your calendars.

He says the appetizing event is most likely to come back next year.

And some of our crew from Newscenter 13 say it's worth it. Salina Heller and meteorologists Mark Holley and Kurt Kotenberg judged taste contests.