As soon as you hit Clinton Square, you smell it before you see it.

"We have donuts. We have desserts. We have Italian. We have Mexican. We have so many types of foods," said Galaxy Media Chief Operating Officer, Carrie Wojtaszek.

The Taste of Syracuse is a local tradition now in its 23rd year. 

"The whole premise is to come down to the taste, try a dollar sample, fall in love with what you try, and then go back to the restaurant and give them business during the summer season," Wojtaszek said.

It covers every inch in and around Clinton Square with dozens of vendors.

"What's really unique about the taste as well, being from a small community, is when new vendors sign up. They're really embraced by the ones that return from year-to-year," she added. "They kind of take the new ones under their wings and let them know, here's what you can expect. It's like our own little taste family."

 In a weekend, the festival draws anywhere from 200-250,000 people.

"We had some last minute additions coming on, but it really has grown. We are as big as we can get," Wojtaszek said.

So who are some of those additions?

"Firehouse Subs— they're a local franchise but they're coming in and we're excited about that. They're bringing in their large trailer for the festival," Wojtaszek said. "We're really excited that OIP is coming in, they have phenomenal pizza. We're really excited about that."

With dozens of taste festivals going all across the country, there's one other thing that makes Syracuse's stand out.

"I think what's unique to the taste of Syracuse is it's just not a taste of the food, but you're also getting a taste of the music scene," Wojtaszek said. "With the three stages of live music, you come down and you see the best local talent. There's so many different genres of music we showcase."

This year's headliner is Sugar Ray— kicking off the summer in appetizing way.