New owners of Taste of Minnesota, the mid-summer food and music festival in St. Paul, have signed two hard rock bands as headliners.

Judas Priest and Whitesnake will perform July 3 at the festival on Harriet Island, across the Mississippi River from downtown St. Paul.

Organizers say these are the biggest headliners ever in the event's 27-year history, but they've always been a little over the top in the past in promoting the event.

Other acts, apparently less famous than Judas Priest and Whitesnake, will be announced later for other days during the July 2-5 event.

Last year, Eddie Money, REO and Badfinger were among the performers.

Also new this year is a $10 admission fee, which can be used to buy food and drinks at the festival. It was instituted, in part, to keep troublemakers from crashing the formerly free event.

Children will still be admitted free this year, when accompanied by an adult.