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As the season for soup lovers, fall serves as a time for eateries and events across the United States to feature their favorite recipes. Appleton, Wisconsin, was recently the destination for the fourth annual Soup Walk – a sold-out event created by Appleton Downtown, Incorporated that highlighted nearly 20 different kettle creations for participants to taste-test and incorporated a food drive to help local residents. 

Appleton, WI -- A timeless fall favorite that has been part of the American diet for centuries, soup has become a highlight at restaurants, farm markets and taste-testing events across the United States in recent years. For Appleton, Wis., it was the main attraction at the annual Soup Walk – an event that has sold out four years in a row and made the city a popular destination for soup lovers across the state.

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The Soup Walk featured much more than your traditional kettle of chicken noodle soup when it was held in October. Presented by US Bank and created by Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI), the event featured a variety of homemade soups from 17 local restaurants. With 400 tickets sold well in advance of the Walk, participants were able to taste-test everything from Smoked Duck and Roasted Fall Vegetable Soup to Chicken & Shrimp Gumbo and Scottish Ale Reuben Soup. There was also a Wisconsin Beer & Cheese Soup on the menu and some vegetarian options, including Creamy Tomato Swiss Soup.

Drawing soup lovers from near and far, attendees were asked to vote for their favorite recipe after sampling their way through the menu. The Soup Walk winner for 2012 was Sangria’s Enchilada Soup from Sangria’s Mexican Grill and the runner up was Pumpkin Bisque Soup from Spats.

This year, tickets sold out at a record pace – selling out a month ahead of the event – and Anne Wiegman, marketing director of ADI, explained that the fourth annual Walk was a huge success. “We had perfect weather for attendees to sample their way through the soups from location to location in Downtown Appleton and it was a fun way for the community to give back.”

In addition to providing a night of food and fun, the Soup Walk also served as a way to help the less fortunate. A food drive for the local St. Joseph Food Program was held in conjunction with the event in which local businesses collected canned goods.

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is a not-for-profit community coalition in Wisconsin dedicated to an economically strong, safe, attractive and exciting downtown. For more information on events, services or businesses in Downtown Appleton, visit www.appletondowntown.org.