The Taste of Iowa City brought varying tastes, walks of life, and weather patterns to downtown Wednesday. But the mid-afternoon downpour didn’t deter event organizer and Bo-James owner Leah Cohen from going on with the show.

“We’re expecting rain, but we’re going to be out there,” she said just an hour before things were scheduled to get underway at 4 p.m.

As the starting time approached, Panchero’s employees stood ready behind a table laden with foil-wrapped food, eager to ride the storm out and emerge as a fan favorite.

Panchero’s district manager Paul McCarthy discouraged the unofficial competition, saying the event was simply “a great way to show students all the different places down here.”

But minutes before 4 p.m., he wondered if they’d get that chance.

Around the corner, Cohen was speaking with John Hanna, owner of Which Wich. After the brief meeting, Hanna came outside and started setting up, Cohen striding behind.

“We’re going on with it, rain or shine,” she said.

But the rain slowed, and students appeared toting food tickets through the Pedestrian Mall and downtown. Some used knapsacks as makeshifts umbrellas as they consulted their maps.

Offering supreme cuisine such as a caprese crostini — stacked tomato and mozzarella topped with drops of balsamic vinegar and pesto sauce — Summit employee Ohmar Steed said he hadn’t seen nearly anyone by 5 p.m.

“Not many stops, mostly just stares,” he said. “I think they’re wondering if it’s free.” So far, he said, no one had tried snatching anything from the tray.

Freshmen were provided five free tickets in conjunction with Welcome Week, but UI sophomores David Fulcher and Matt Arnold were willing to shell out $1 per ticket.

“I just want to get as much food as possible for five tickets, and this was on the way to the apartment,” said Fulcher.

Arnold, his roommate, said it was a good chance to try new eateries, including Graze.

Graze offered chicken “lip” on a stick — a diminutive version of the usual meat wedge drenched in wing sauce — accompanied by homemade blue cheese dressing, which manager Brady Moore said included Budweiser as an ingredient.

“And you know how [students] love free food, so hopefully, some freshmen will get out here,” he said.

Not all the pedestrians were tasters, however.

Mike Gregory, a UI senior who studies ancient civilizations, passed the event stands, munching on a gyro he bought at regular price.

“It’s raining, I’ve got work, and I’m an upperclassman — so no free tickets,” he said gloomily.

Most restaurateurs who participated were more optimistic. They said they were glad to hook newcomers on the diverse tastes of Iowa City. Brian Kelley, general manager at Milio’s, enjoys working in conjunction with the university.

“Usually these things do really well,” he said. “But it always wants to rain whenever they do something like this.”