(Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP) Vocalist Hunter Stamas, right, and guitarist Cameron Gilhooly, a duo named "Hunter!" entertain downtown visitors during Wednesday's 26th annual Taste of Downtown Nashua.

NASHUA – Shoppers browsing displays of specialty men’s clothing mingled with individuals and families eyeing samples of unique pastries and bite-size goodies inside CasaNova, one of downtown Nashua’s newer shops and one of nearly 20 venues that participated in Wednesday evening’s Taste of Downtown Nashua.

One of Great American Downtown’s signature events, the Taste returned this year to its normal format, which delighted organizers, participants and visitors alike and drove an enthusiasm that led to a sold-out event.

“I’ve heard this is a lot of fun, and there’s a lot of great energy now, with everyone finally getting out more,” CasaNova owner Kate Dagianis said while welcoming the steady stream of visitors coming through her door.

Some of them had gathered on the sidewalk out front of CasaNova, where Dagianis set up some interactive games, including a cornhole game that was condensed a bit for space purposes.

Meanwhile, the pastries and goodies being offered to Taste ticket-holders were from jajaBelle’s, CasaNova’s Main Street neighbor and a longtime participant in the event.

(Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP) Mark McCabe, of Subzero Nitrogen Ice Cream, amuses a visitor with a bowl of vapor created by flash-freezing ingredients with liquid nitrogen, which turns them into ice cream in moments. McCabe was set up inside Camaraderie for Wednesday's Taste of Downtown Nashua.

Servers Izzy Farris and Frances Brackett kept up quite well with the surges of visitors looking for something new to try or choosing an old favorite. JajaBelle’s owner, Jessica dePontbriand, kept a close eye on the serving plates, making sure the servers didn’t run out of anything.

Back out on the sidewalk, ticket-holders and non-participants chatted briefly, many of them commenting on the generosity of Mother Nature – who delivered a nearly perfect June evening, sandwiched between a pair of rainy, unsettled days.

The popular regional duo “Hunter!” featuring vocalist Hunter Stamas and guitarist Cameron Gilhooly, entertained passersby in front of Gentle Dental, many of whom stopped to listen to a song or two.

Live music also drew listeners to the sidewalk in front of 100 Main St., where the Nick Goumas quartet was stationed. Back across Main Street and a little ways down West Pearl Street, music was being provided by “The Human’s Being.”

Another hit among the culinary participants could be found in the front windows of Camaraderie, the women’s clothing boutique whose owners, Kami Harris and Danielle Dion, have taken part in the Taste for several years.

(Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP) A couple walks past a trio of street preachers, who stationed themselves in front of 146 Main St. during Wednesday evening's Taste of Downtown Nashua.

At once a palate-pleaser and eye-catcher, Mark McCabe’s Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream was high in demand among Taste ticket-holders.

And so was the chance to view the process, which, whether in the shop at 83 Main St. or on the road, begins with McCabe filling a bowl with cream and syrups of various colors and tastes.

He then signaled an assistant, who opened a valve resembling a miniature shower head on a liquid nitrogen tank.

Like magic, a cloud of white vapor suddenly issued forth, floating over the table where McCabe worked.

Within moments, the frozen ingredients became ice cream, which McCabe then scooped into sample cups that visitors emptied in seconds.

(Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP) Servers Frances Brackett, left, and Izzy Farris work fast to keep up with requests for samples of jajaBelle's pastries and other items offered visitors to the men's clothing shop CasaNova, which hosted jajaBelle's for Wednesday's 26th annual Taste of Downtown Nashua.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.