By Brett Fisher

  • Participants eat pizza from Papa Murphy's in Telegraph Square.
    Participants eat pizza from Papa Murphy’s in Telegraph Square.
  • A group walks down Curry Street with their plates Saturday evening.
    A group walks down Curry Street with their plates Saturday evening.
  • A mother dances with her young son in front of the stage at Telegraph Square.
    A mother dances with her young son in front of the stage at Telegraph Square.
  • Employees of Spoke Bar and Grill dance to music in Telegraph Square.
    Employees of Spoke Bar and Grill dance to music in Telegraph Square.
  • Employees at Carson Lanes and Wally's Pizza and Subs pose in their booth.
    Employees at Carson Lanes and Wally’s Pizza and Subs pose in their booth.
  • Crowds gather at Telegraph Square to sample a
    Crowds gather at Telegraph Square to sample a “Taste of Downtown” Saturday.
  • Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong (center) talks with a deputy and others on Curry Street.
    Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong (center) talks with a deputy and others on Curry Street.
  • A boy dances with his grandfather Saturday in Telegraph Square.
    A boy dances with his grandfather Saturday in Telegraph Square.
  • Thick Slice Pizza serves up whole slices on E. Proctor Street.
    Thick Slice Pizza serves up whole slices on E. Proctor Street.
  • Barbeque rib and watermelon salad from Casino Fandango.
    Barbeque rib and watermelon salad from Casino Fandango.
  • Pepperoni Pizza from Wallys Pizza and Subs in Carson Lanes.
    Pepperoni Pizza from Wallys Pizza and Subs in Carson Lanes.
  • Ladies display their wristbands, which were the tickets to eat Saturday.
    Ladies display their wristbands, which were the tickets to eat Saturday.
  • A couple shares a cocktail from Carson Cigar Bar.
    A couple shares a cocktail from Carson Cigar Bar.
  • A taco being served up for tasters.
    A taco being served up for tasters.
  • Sausage and peppers served up by Spoke Bar and Grill.
    Sausage and peppers served up by Spoke Bar and Grill.
  • Tortillas being cooked to make tacos.
    Tortillas being cooked to make tacos.
  • Cheesburgers with onion rings.
    Cheesburgers with onion rings.
  • A lady bartender in costume, complete with mustache.
    A lady bartender in costume, complete with mustache.
  • Lime, mango and coconut sangria served at Artsy Fartsy Gallery.
    Lime, mango and coconut sangria served at Artsy Fartsy Gallery.
  • Tasters wait in line at Curry and Musser streets.
    Tasters wait in line at Curry and Musser streets.
  • Tasters in line for food on Curry Street.
    Tasters in line for food on Curry Street.
  • The Virginia City trolley was borrowed from the Comstock to shuttle guests in downtown Carson City.
    The Virginia City trolley was borrowed from the Comstock to shuttle guests in downtown Carson City.
  • A Ford Mustang from Carson Car Center on S. Carson St. waits to be won as a contest prize.
    A Ford Mustang from Carson Car Center on S. Carson St. waits to be won as a contest prize.
  • A Toyota sedan sponsored by the Nevada Humane Society was a prize in a contest.
    A Toyota sedan sponsored by the Nevada Humane Society was a prize in a contest.
  • A band plays on stage in the Nugget courtyard.
    A band plays on stage in the Nugget courtyard.

Curry Street, from Third to Spear, was jammed with vendor tents and thousands of walking palates eager to get a taste of downtown Carson City.

The annual “Taste of Downtown,” a benefit for Advocates to End Domestic Violence (AEDV), spanned several blocks, reach as far north as Spear Street to the north and the Carson Mall to the south.

Proctor and Telegraph streets, to the east of Carson Street, were also jammed with tasters and vendors.

Live music, from stages at the Nugget courtyard and Telegraph Square to street acts on Musser, stirred the soul while fresh eats tickled the satisfied the palate.

Nearly 40 restaurants were scheduled to participate Saturday night in the annual event, the largest fundraiser of the year for AEDV, a non-profit organization providing support to victims of domestic violence.

About 5,000 people attend the event each year, but only 2,000 tickets went on sale in for 2016.

Participants voted the best entry in eight categories: Best Overall, Best Taste, Best Sweet Taste, Best Beverage Taste, Best Discovery, Best Atmosphere, Best Shop, and Best Band.

Winners will be announced later tonight or tomorrow morning.