Lititz is easy on the eyes. Lititz is pleasing to the nose. And do you know what else Lititz is? Delicious.

Taste of Lititz celebrates all things culinary in Lititz, highlighting the locale's smells and flavors and tastes.

This year's version of the glorified block party will unfold on Friday, June 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. The downtown business district, or at least three blocks of it, will be closed to car traffic and opened to the taste buds.

During that expanded happy hour, East Main Street from North Broad Street to North Water Street will be partitioned off, and tables will be set up to allow visitors to sample all the delectable wares that downtown Lititz has to offer. The event, which is organized by and sponsored by Venture Lititz, is free to attend, and participants are encouraged to indulge their expanding palates.

"I always try to rotate where I go downtown," said Venture Lititz executive director Rebecca Branle. "When I'm with someone, I'm always trying to introduce locals to something new. We have so many cool eateries. I think what people don't realize is how many flavors we have in downtown Lititz. The people who work there are so proud of the food they produce."

This year, about 35 local restaurants will have food samples available for purchase as part of Taste of Lititz, and while they will serve as the main course, the festive, carnival atmosphere will be garnished with drinks, art, outdoor games geared toward families and live music. It's all a recipe for fun and fellowship.

"A Taste of Lititz is different in that it's not super structured," said Branle. "It's a celebration, and we're celebrating Lititz. We have tons of people calling to be involved, and it's truly a Lititz event. It's a block party and a get-together, where everyone is like family and we're expressing how much we love this place."

After being shut down by the pandemic, Taste of Lititz made a triumphant return in 2022, with a crowd in excess of 3,000 people. Branle said the event is prepared for even greater numbers this time around.

"I think the vast majority of our visitors come from within the Warwick School District," said Branle, "but we also get folks from Manheim Township and Ephrata and Manheim Central. It's nearby visitors who love Lancaster County, who love Lititz."

"I wanted to make it available to families, regardless of incomes," continued Branle. "No tickets are required. Just show up and have a great night."

Of all the events staged in Lititz, Taste of Lititz might be the most informal - and the tastiest.

"It's about our local restaurants, our local art and taking little tastes from all the food options we have downtown," said Branle. "I like to sit back and watch. For me, there's this sense that I've got to pinch myself because I get to work here. You have all these people who are genuinely happy. It's one of those moments where you get to take stock of how special this place is."

For additional information about Taste of Lititz, go to http://www.lititzpa.com/event/taste-of-lititz-2/.