By Martin Couch
There will be a wide variety food vendors at this year's Taste of Bryant festivities that will be held tonight at the Bryant Middle School eighth grade cafeteria.
The original venue for the event was to be at the Bishop Park community center, but due to advertising agreements for Bishop Park, the arrangements did not allow the Bryant Chamber of Commerce to function there under their bylaws.[more]
"We chose a venue that would," said Bryant Chamber of Commerce executive director Rae Ann Fields. "We have 27 food vendors and we had to cancel non-food vendor booths since we had to change locations."
The non-food vendors are being refunded, Fields added.
The 11th annual event, sponsored by Everett, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $10 for pre-ordered and $15 at the door. Kids ages 7 to 12 are $5 and children under 7 eat free.
“Scrumptious food continues to be the focus of this event and we welcome five new food vendors this year. But don’t miss participating in the Silent Auction for some good buys,” noted Chairperson Beth Smith with Heartland Community Bank.
The food includes steak, Oriental, Italian, Mexican, cupcakes, muffins, fried fish, chicken, sandwiches, deli, BBQ, home-cooked food and pizza. Silent auction items can be donated by anyone who is wishing to draw attention to a product or service their company offers.
“We have seen some really clever businesses donate something that brings attention to something new they are doing. That’s instant awareness,” said Smith.
Individuals may also donate to the silent auction. Community supporters who are not businesses have donated all manner of items in the past – everything from practical items like coupons for haircuts and oil changes to extravagances like artwork, jewelry and fur coats.
“It’s just a fun, laid back event. You come when you want, eat what you want, leave when you want and don’t listen to any presentations,” Fields said.
Silent Auction items can be brought to the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce, 109 Roya Lane.
“We also have a pick up day on Friday to come and get what you want to donate,” Fields said. “The silent auction is a great opportunity to let the public know what you do by donating an item or service … especially if you are a new business or you have added some new product or service that makes you stand out from the competitors. We’ve gotten pretty good at making suggestions, too. So call us if you want some thought about what to get.”
The theme for the event this year is “Great Food… Fun Times…Top Town” to celebrate the many honors Bryant has recently received.
Kids are encouraged to attend too. They have their own area with huge areas of floor covered in paper with crayons and chalk available for their artistic expression. They also can participate in a drawing for children’s items. That area is sponsored by Chiropractic Health Center.
Call 847-4702 for more information.
