Second Annual Viva la Vista Hugely Successful

September 15, 2009

COLUMBIA, SC – September 15, 2009 – The Congaree Vista Guild and 28 of its restaurants were the scene for this weekend’s incredibly successful second annual Viva la Vista. The event allowed visitors to sample foods from each restaurant at great prices. Live music and retailers in booths along the street meant that Viva la Vista offered something for everyone. Additionally this year’s event saw a 76 percent increase in token sales over last year’s festival.

“It’s our city’s largest block party,” said Vista Guild Executive Director Deirdre Mardon. “This event is successful because there’s no guilt in sampling such wonderful food at such low prices. We had a great crowd, and it was obvious within the first hour of Viva la Vista that we were going to surpass last year’s wildly successful inaugural event. The streets were packed. In just a couple of years, Viva la Vista has become an event that Columbia will look forward to each fall.”

The Vista is known for its esteemed art galleries and fun nightlife, but Viva la Vista is all about the area’s restaurants. An estimated four to five thousand people came out to enjoy the day in the Vista. Several restaurants saw lines of attendees sampling some of their most popular menu items at much lower prices.

A host of media personalities in the Midlands also weighed in on best booth, most original menu item, best dessert and best menu item overall. Cromer’s took best booth, Wild Wings’ California chicken taco took most original menu item, Cupcake’s red velvet cupcake took best dessert and best overall went to Ristorante Divino’s tortelacci Florentine.

“Cromer’s was proud to win best booth at Viva la Vista, and we had lots of fun,” said Debbie Moise, marketing and advertising manager with Cromer’s. “It was one great big party.”