Judas Priest & Whitesnake to headline Taste of Minnesota 2009

May 1, 2:46 PMMinneapolis Day Trips ExaminerDale Van Every

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Festival-goers dug Alice Cooper at 2008's Taste of Minnesota

Three of the four headlining musical acts for 2009’s Taste of Minnesota have been announced: On the first day of the event, Thursday July 2, Staind and Chevelle will play. On Sunday July 5, Brett Micheals (of Poison)  will play with Adler’s Appetite. The biggest acts (so far) to be announced are Judas Priest & Whitesnake, playing Friday July 3. Entertainment for the 4 of July has yet to be announced. There will, as always, be a fireworks extravaganza each evening at 10 pm.

In January of this year, Taste of Minnesota, one of the state’s largest summer festivals, was purchased by an Edina-based entertainment firm, led by a trio of local businessmen. With the change in ownership came much speculation as to how this might change the annual multi-day event centering around the Fourth of July.

 In particular, folks wanted to know if the musical acts, which, with a few exceptions, had become stale, would improve. It seems so. Judas Priest & Whitesnake are, according to organizers, the biggest acts ever to play the now 27-year-old “Taste.”

Another change may not be as welcome. The traditionally free Taste of Minnesota will now charge a $10 entrance fee, but organizers say it will apply toward $10 in food & drink tickets. The fee will "help create more defined entrances and better festival security."  Seniors (55 and older) will pay $5. Take note, however:  festival-goers arriving between noon and 3 pm daily will still be admitted for free, and children under 11, with paying adults, are always free. This year's Taste will again take place on St. Paul's Harriet Island.

Here are the acts that have been booked for Taste of Minnesota so far. Check back here at Minneapolis Day Trips Examiner for updates as to further acts and more information on the event.

• Thursday, July 2 ~ Staind & Chevelle
• Friday, July 3 ~ Judas Priest & Whitesnake
• Saturday, July 4 ~ To Be Announced
• Sunday, July 5 ~ Brett Micheals & Adler's Appetite

For more info: Taste of Minnesota Website.