By Reid Forgrave
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COLERAIN TOWNSHIP - From chocolate covered cheesecake on a stick to "Hot Pursuit" chicken wings, there's a lot to taste in Colerain this weekend.

Hamilton County's third-largest "Taste" event of the year kicks off Friday, and the array of desserts alone at more than two dozen food booths is sure to please the more than 30,000 west-siders expected to attend.

"I'm a dessert freak, so I tend to steer toward the sweets," said Colerain Township resident Charlie Homer, who has helped organize the Taste of Colerain since its inception 14 years ago. "A lot of other people do, too."

Homer's favorite is the desserts from Gary's Cheesecakes and Desserts - which won last year's best dessert contest with its "Endless Chocolate Cake." But there are plenty of other options.

Live music and family fun help bring the crowds, but the food is the real focus of Colerain Township's largest event of the summer. From goetta sandwiches to barbecue ribs and pulled pork sandwiches, from "Hot Pursuit Wings" served by the police department to two types of chili served by the fire department, the premier event in Colerain Township has it all.

Intended as a sampling of the best offerings from restaurants in Ohio's largest township, the Taste of Colerain is made up of half local restaurants and half other Cincinnati-area restaurants. First-time participants this year include the Sunny Side Cafe and Raybo's Southern Bar and Grill.

In Hamilton County, the only "Taste" events larger than Colerain's are the Taste of Cincinnati and the Taste of Blue Ash.

This year, no on-site parking is available because of construction, but shuttle buses will cart people from Colerain High School at Poole and Cheviot roads to the festival.

The event is so popular, said Colerain Township Parks and Services Director Greg Snyder, that there's a waiting list for the food booths.

"We just don't have enough room for everyone who wants in," Snyder said.

Even competing with the Great Inland Seafood Festival in downtown Cincinnati and Newport, organizers hope sunny weather this weekend will help attract a crowd.

Held in the parking lot of the Colerain Township Administration Building near Northgate Mall, the three-day event will also feature local oldies and country bands each night, including Robin Lacy and DeZydeco Band on Saturday with Cajun music.

Auctioneer Chester Dowers will auction items in between musical acts. All the proceeds go to charity.

"Everything is free except the food and the beverages," Homer said.

"All you have to do is walk in and enjoy."

If you go

When: Friday through Sunday.

Where: Colerain Township Administration Building, 4200 Springdale Road

Cost: Free

Parking: Free parking at Colerain High School with free shuttles to the festival

More info: www.tasteofcolerain.org or 385-7500

E-mail rforgrave@enquirer.com