Families, Friends and Foodies to Head to Silver Spring for 5th Annual 'Taste the World in Fenton Village'

From African lentil sambusa to South American carne guisada, Taste the World in Fenton Village offers metro area families, friends and foodies an entr?e to the outstanding array of restaurants just south of Downtown Silver Spring. 

A family-friendly "restaurant crawl," Taste the World in Fenton Village offers $2 to $5 sample appetizers and tasting plates with international and American flavors from 27 Fenton Village restaurants. The fifth annual event is 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2015, rain or shine. The event closes with a raffle at 5:30 p.m.

Often called the "hidden gem" of Silver Spring, Fenton Village is an eclectic, diverse community roughly bordered by Wayne, Georgia and Sligo avenues and Fenton Street. In addition to the restaurants, some 200 businesses-from spas to international groceries to creative art nonprofits-have a storefront in Fenton Village.

"I am happy and proud to be one of the first restaurants to sign on for Taste The World and participate over the last four years," says Solomon Abdella of Abbysinia Ethiopian Restaurant. "It's a great opportunity for all local restaurants in Fenton Village!"

The returning participating restaurants are Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant, The Big Greek Caf?, Fenton Caf?, Fire Station 1 Restaurant, Ghar-E-Kabob, The Greek Place, Jackie's Restaurant, Kaldi's Coffee Bar, Kefa Caf?, La Madeleine Country French Caf? , Langano Ethiopian Restaurant, Lesaac Ethiopian Caf? , Lotus Caf?, and Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant.

Also, Manny & Olga's Pizza, Odalis Bar and Restaurant, Pacci's Neapolitan Pizzeria, Pete's New Haven Style Apizza , Roger Miller Restaurant, Society, Thai Derm, Thai Market, Urban Butcher, The Urban Winery, Vicino Ristorante Italiano, and Zed's Caf?.

Joining Taste the World this year are Ethio Express Grill and Sligo Caf?. "Fenton Village's newest restaurant, Sligo Caf?, is proud to be a member of such a supportive community and excited to be part of Taste The World," says owner David Galinsky.  "We look forward to participating this year and for many more to come!"

Taste the World in Fenton Village differs from other food-themed festivals. Instead of browsing vendors in one central place, participants actually walk the community at their own pace and enter the restaurants to enjoy the food and the authentic atmosphere.

Participants will pick up a free event "passport" at four entry points to Fenton Village. They are Wayne & Georgia, Bonifant & Fenton, Sligo & Fenton, and Sligo & Georga. These entry points will be marked with signs and balloons. There is plenty of free parking in nearby garages, and Fenton Village is walkable from the Silver Spring Metro Station.  

Get your Taste the World passport stamped by at least three participating restaurants, and turn it in back at the starting point for a chance to win prizes at the closing raffle. Participating restaurants are mapped on the passport you will receive and will be marked with balloons and signs.

Beyond the restaurant crawl, Taste the World will feature continuous, free music and entertainment from 10 performance groups stationed across the neighborhood; a fifth year commemorative poster by Silver Spring artist Jim Haynes; a classic car show; information tables from local sponsors and community groups; free tours and talks about Silver Spring history at the Historic B&O station; and a raffle with exciting prizes. The raffle Grand Prize is a one-night stay for two at Courtyard Marriott in downtown Silver Spring, plus breakfast at Zed's Caf?.

The Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board and Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. co-host this volunteer-driven annual event in collaboration with local small business owners and with the support of corporate sponsors and government. The first Taste the World in Fenton Village was held in 2011.

Title Sponsors for the 2015 event are The Blairs, Montomery County, and Silver Spring Town Center Inc.

Major Sponsors are Bethesda Startup Spotluck, Grosvenor Americas, Landex , Pepco, and United Therapeutics and Supporting Sponsors are Dr. Glee and Linowes & Blocher.

Maps, lists of restaurants and sponsors, and other details and updates will be available at tastetheworld.fentonvillage.org

, facebook.com/FentonVillage, Twitter at @TasteTheWorldFV, and a new Youtube page .