Historic downtown Lititz is easy on the eyes. Downtown Lititz is pleasing to the ears. The downtown business district has a welcoming, hometown feel. The downtown shopping district is filled with tantalizing aromas.

Downtown Lititz is also delicious.

The next event on Venture Lititz's annual business-promoting schedule will celebrate the fifth of the five senses.Venture Lititz will present its annual downtown block party, Taste of Lititz, on Friday, June 6, from 5 to 9 p.m. Four blocks of East Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic - from Broad Street to Water Street - and opened to foot traffic, as visitors are afforded an opportunity to sample small portions of dishes being offered by 30 food-related local businesses.

"As time has gone on, we've had more and more options for good food downtown," said Emily Allen, who's been Venture Lititz's executive director for two years. "There's just a wide variety of things that taste good. These (business owners) pour their hearts and soul into it. They are passionate about making foods that you might not otherwise experience."

Taste of Lititz is free to attend, but there are some costs associated with samplings. Other downtown businesses will offer extended shopping hours that evening.

"It feels homey," said Allen. "You can get in and out of the streets easily. It's a fun way to experience Lititz in a slightly different way. It's also a way to see what some of the businesses have to offer. Restaurants come out and sell small things, little samples. It's kind of like, 'Oh, I've never been here before. Let's try this.' It's a different atmosphere downtown."

During the event, Venture Lititz will celebrate its 20th anniversary of supporting downtown businesses and bringing people to Lititz.

"People love to eat," said Allen. "This is an excuse to try a lot of different restaurants at one time, which is kind of great. Everyone in town sets up something, not just the eateries."

"It's a good opportunity for businesses to introduce themselves to people," added Allen. "This is a good chance to taste something and then maybe go back and experience a full meal."

The mood of the event will be stoked by live music, and visitors will be afforded an opportunity to contribute to Venture Lititz's 10,000 flowers mural project. About a dozen local nonprofits will be there operating information booths highlighting their services and the roles that they play in the community.

"It feels like summer is getting started," said Allen. "You get to see everyone interacting. It just kind of kicks off summer in a cool way. You don't get to experience that in every small town. It's one of my favorite nights of the year."

As many as 9,000 people are expected to savor a Taste of Lititz.

"Everybody's welcome," said Allen. "Each of our events is a totally separate thing. This is our one and only event in the warm months. This is another time to bring everyone together and celebrate the community and everything that Lititz has to offer."

Between setting up, tearing down and cleaning up, the work of some 40 volunteers is required to make Taste of Lititz a reality.

"Venture Lititz has one full-time employee and one part-time employee," said Allen. "Every other hour is a volunteer hour. We report hundreds of volunteer hours to the state throughout the year. We have an incredibly active board. Without our board and all the volunteers, we'd be dead in the water. It's what makes Lititz so amazing, all these people putting time back into their community."

For additional information, go to http://www.lititzpa.com.