Taste of Wayne set for Aug. 15
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on July 9, 2006 2:00 AM
Local restaurants will dish up some of their most tasty treats at the annual Taste of Wayne County.
The event will be Aug. 15 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for adults and children 6 and older. Children under 6 get in free. They go on sale Monday and may be purchased from the Wayne County and Mount Olive chambers of commerce. Tickets must be purchased in advance. None will be sold at the event.
The location of the Taste has changed this year. It will be held outdoors at the Wayne Community College campus, said Sally Worrell, Taste chairman. The past few years, the event has been held at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
"We just thought we would try a different avenue," she said. "The base has always been so generous letting us have the Taste there. But the college has offered its facilities for the event, so we thought we'd try it out there on that side of town."
Anywhere from 30 to 40 restaurants and food vendors have participated in the past. They prepare bite-sized portions of some of their signature recipes for visitors to sample.
The restaurants are judged for awards in several categories including continental, country cooking, Oriental cuisine, fine dining, Italian cuisine, pizza, desserts, pub appetizers, Mexican cuisine and breakfast. The most coveted award, though, is the People's Choice, voted on by those attending the Taste.
Disc jockey Tom Freeman will provide musical entertainment while visitors munch on delectable tidbits. He will also be spotlighting all the participating vendors.
Portable restrooms and hand-washing facilities will be available.
"We have 15 sponsors this year, the most we've ever had," said Mrs. Worrell. "That shows a lot of interest from the business community."
She said it's just a "good family event. It's a good way to see people, eat, drink and have a good time."