Shortened Taste of Chicago wraps for another year

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The 2014 Taste of Chicago has wrapped up for another year. The annual food fest is now just five days long and Saturday it had to be cancelled for the first time ever because of heavy rain.

Thousands of people sampled some of Chicago's favorite and up-and-coming restaurants.

Officials with the Chicago Fire Department and the Fire Marshall checked out the vendor stands and officially made the decision to reopen Sunday morning after the Taste was shut down Saturday for the first time because of heavy rain that submerged equipment making the area unsafe.

Saturday was a big loss for vendors and they are hoping to make up for it Sunday.

"It was a sad day because so we were so excited," said Lauren Edmonson, Mariano's. "We prepared so much for this, we're sad we didn't get to operate."

Eli's Cheesecake had to preserve their 1,000-pound cheesecake that they were going to serve before the shutdown. They moved the 34-year Taste birthday celebration to Sunday.

"It was heartbreaking, but we saw the issues with the water," said Marc Schulman, Eli's Cheesecake. "To have anybody get injured wasn't worth it. (The) good news is we saved the cheesecake."

And people flocked to get their free slice Sunday afternoon.

The Taste has never been shut down all day. The decision was tough, not just on vendors, but staff that work the event.

"Very disappointing, not only for us, for everyone," said Gary Longo, Bobak Sausage. "Huge loss of sales, employees get a partial day of pay, I had to send everyone home with pennies in their pockets, that was it."

Patrons were happy to see the sunshine, dry weather and plan to take full advantage Sunday.

"I tried to come (Saturday)," said Andre Ewing. "I was greatly disappointed, because I think they could have had the event."

"My dad wanted to try the turkey legs, that's mostly what we came for," said Alejandra Morales.