The Federal Way community should get ready to dust off their capes as this year’s theme for the Taste of Federal Way is swooping in to save the day.

Food booths and decor will celebrate a superheroes theme and guests are encouraged to dress up and get in the spirit of the day.

The Taste of Federal Way is an annual event that raises money for nonprofits and the operation of the Federal Way Farmers Market itself. It also gives guests the opportunity to try a taste from a selection of restaurants around the city.

This year’s event runs 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27 at the farmers market, located in the parking lot at The Commons mall. For the entry fee of $25, guests will get a small item from each restaurant and have the opportunity to vote for which one should win the people’s choice award.

1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be decided by a panel of judges from the community, which this year include Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang, Doug Baxter-Jenkins of VMFH, Federal Way Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer, Jan Glasper of Sound Transit, Jan Novak from Federal Way Licensing, King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer and Sean Nichols of South King Fire.

While the city of Federal Way now manages the Federal Way Farmers Market and the annual tradition of the Taste of Federal Way, not much has changed in the spirit of the event.

“It’s a tradition that this family began, which we are continuing,” city policy advisor Bill Vadino told the Mirror. He noted that the market is still being managed by Karla Kolibab, the daughter of Rose Ehl, who started the market in partnership with her family and the community over 20 years ago.

Ehl is still involved, now as a volunteer rather than as the manager. Longtime volunteer Vickie Chynoweth is now the events manager and assistant manager for the market as well.

Supporting the continuation of all the traditions begun by the Ehl family is “just us making sure something wonderful continues,” Vadino said.

Chynoweth shares a weekly recipe dreamed up from seasonal produce found at the market each week in the Federal Way Mirror, and also organizes the annual Federal Way’s Got Talent competition.

“Every Saturday, we try to have different groups that come in,” Chynoweth said. They’ve had everything from a 20-piece big band perform to a jazz piano keyboardist to singers and more.

Samoan fire and knife dancers Toa Malosi were the winners of the Federal Way’s Got Talent competition this year, and will be performing at the Taste of Federal Way.

Musical entertainment will be provided by the returning local ensemble Lost and Found band.

Reflecting on the 2025 farmers market season so far, Chynoweth said that “this year the farmers market has grown just because of the amount of publicity that we’ve been able to get,” referring to the extra outreach supported by the city.

“The farmers market is just a community gem, basically born from the community and residents,” Vadino said.

Restaurants and nonprofits this year include:

• Black Bear Diner / Emma’s Exceptional Equipment Exchange

• El Paisano Tamales / St. Vincent de Paul School

• East India Grill / Pacific Christian Academy

• Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse / Federal Way Rotary

• Vince’s Italian Restaurant / Keller Williams Puget Sound Cares

• Poverty Bay Cafe and Bakery / FUSION

• Swagg’n Wagon / Federal Way Knights Baseball Club

• Sub-zero Ice Cream

• Water sales will support We Love Our City Federal Way