RACINE - Pat and Jim Holub and their family had to wait a little longer this year for their annual summer tradition. But they feel confident that their outing to this year's Taste of Racine will be worth the wait.

The Holubs and crew have, after all, enjoyed every year of the Taste of Racine since it began 10 years ago. And they are looking forward to another day of food, fun and family this time around, new month and all.

"We haven't missed a year yet," said Pat Holub. "It is a lot of fun."

Traditionally, the Taste of Racine - which is a major fundraiser for Family Service of Racine - has been held on the first Sunday in August, a date shared with other local events including the Starving Artists Art Fair and Armenian Fest.

This year, its organizers decided to move the Taste to Labor Day in order to hold it at the Racine Zoo and still offer free admission. Zoo admission is free on Mondays for Racine County residents (with ID), said Katie Oatsvall, interim executive director of Family Service.

Having the event at the zoo - especially with all of the zoo's new exhibits and activities - offers built-in entertainment for those attending. Yet zoo attractions are just part of what the 10th anniversary edition of Taste of Racine will offer. Musical entertainment, appearances by Racine Raiders football players, exhibits of equipment from the Case companies, police and fire department displays, information booths and kids' games (tractor races, obstacle course, moon walk, face painting and more) are also on the docket, according to Oatsvall.

And then there are the eats. More than a dozen food vendors will offer a variety of menu items from fruit smoothies to Italian specialties at this year's Taste of Racine. Vendors will include: the Chancery Pub and Restaurant, Danny Palms, Dino's Italian Village, Gold's Fruit Smoothie, Family Service of Racine, Fireside Fish & Ribs, ISE Roasted Corn, Jose's Blue Sombrero, Kewpee's, Mrs. Field's cookies, O&H Danish Bakery, Sugar Shack Sweet Shop and Whey Chai Chinese Restaurant.

Family time

All of that is great, the Holubs say. But what really keeps them coming back year after year is the chance to share it all with family members. Sometimes as many as 18 of their siblings, children and grandchildren have joined the couple at the annual outing.

"My parents, who are 86 and 83, have also attended every year except the last couple," Pat Holub said.

"We have a big family and this is such an easy way to be together," said

Jim Holub.

Attending the Taste of Racine is also a great way to support Family Service, an organization which the Holubs feel is important to our community.

"If you are going to spend money to have a good time, why not spend it for a good cause?" Pat asked. "Family Service is a local organization that has been around a long time and it does a lot for Racine's families."

Since 1910, Family Service of Racine has been providing a variety of counseling services to adults and children, covering everything from relationship issues to parental support, substance abuse, anger management, grief/loss and peer issues. The agency's licensed therapists serve more than 6,000 individuals, children and families annually. And the Taste of Racine is one of two annual fundraisers for the agency, the other being its March luncheon, according to Oatsvall.

"Taste of Racine is really just a celebration of families," Oatsvall said. "All of the proceeds from the event are put directly back into our programs. And some of those funds help make those programs available to families that otherwise could not afford our services." A lot to offer

Giving such support is easy at an event like Taste of Racine, which offers something for everyone, the Holubs said.

"The adults can enjoy visiting with each other while the kids can go on the moon walk or watch a magician," said Pat. "One year they had pony rides. Every year it is a little different."

The Holubs have also enjoyed a streak of good luck with the raffles offered at Taste of Racine, having won prizes including a bicycle, a basketball hoop and vacation stay at the Blue Harbor resort for six people.

Over time the family has also developed its own system for spending the afternoon at the event. The first thing they do is grab a couple picnic tables and cover them with sheets so that family members can find them. Next, they peruse all of the edible offerings before deciding what to eat.

"You scoop the tents to see what they are serving, and then just enjoy," said Jim.

Part of the fun is being able to taste new things and sharing them with each other, the couple said.

"Last year I tried Thai food for the first time," Pat said. "I loved it."

When it comes to don't-miss items, Meg Cisewski, the Holubs' 9-year-old granddaughter, says the roasted corn is her favorite, while her brother Maxwell, 7, likes just about everything.

The only things the Holubs don't share at Taste of Racine are the desserts, Pat said.

"We all love sweets. Everyone gets their own dessert."

If You Go

WHAT: 10th Annual Taste of Racine

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday

WHERE: The Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St.

COST: Admission is free to Racine County residents with proof of address. Non-county residents pay regular zoo admission, which is $4 adults, $3 seniors and $2 children (ages 3-15).

INFO: Call Family Service of Racine at (262) 634-2391.