At top: seafood jambalaya from Hose Co. No. 6. Above: eclairs from Bachini Bakery. Both restaurants will be participating in the Taste of Pawtucket.

The Providence Journal / Sandor Bodo

Back in 1999, when the Pawtucket Arts Festival was brand new and hosting its first gala, a total of 35 guests showed up at the public library for the event. About a dozen local restaurants provided the food, including 60 pizzas. When the night was over almost everybody went home with two pizzas.

The gala for this year’s 10th annual festival includes the second Taste of Pawtucket. There will be more than 40 Pawtucket eateries offering a variety of foods. That’s almost 20 more than last year when the event was such a success crowds of people attended and no food was left.

The restaurants represent the variety and diversity of the Pawtucket dining scene. They include fine dining spots, full-service restaurants, mom and pop enterprises, delis, pubs and ethnic food that show what a global village the city is.

This annual celebration will be held tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Slater Mill Historic Site, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket. This year, organizers promise even more space for diners eager to taste food.

The event, being part of the opening gala for the festival, includes entertainment. Music is by Slippery Sneakers and Buckwheat Zydeco Band from 6 to10:30 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs. A fireworks display will follow the gala.Tickets are $10 in advance and are available at www.arttixri.com, the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, 175 Main St., Pawtucket, (401) 724-2200. Visit www.pawtucketartsfestival.org for more information. Tickets will cost $15 at the gate. Kids under 10 attend free.

Restaurants include Galito, Local Hero, Hose Company No. 6, Spumoni’s, Doherty’s East Avenue Pub, Ground Round, House of Pizza, Lumana, Ozzie’s, Newport Deck, Pho Horn’s, Riverside Diner, B&M Clambake, Corrine Banquet Hall, The Lefoyer, Seven Stars, Chelo’s, Rasoi, Rosinha and Ronzio. Desserts will come from Gregg’s, Cross Country Cookie, Bachini’s, Awesome Sweet, Dunkin’ Donuts, Rita’s, and Kafe Lila. Beverages will be served from New Harvest Coffee, Golden Arch, Monroe Dairy, Coca Cola, McLaughlin & Moran, Del’s Lemonade of Pawtucket, Fuze Beverage and Vitamin Water. Abita Beer and wine from the vineyards of the local Coastal Wine Trail will be sold. Town Wine & Spirits is also a sponsor.

gciampa@projo.com