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Take a bite out of West Memphis

Taste of the Town returns Aug. 2

news@theeveningtimes.com

Local foodies prepare to whet your appetites for next month and the return of Main Street West Memphis’ Taste of the Town.

The annual local dining showcase features food, fun and entertainment. This year is the 14th annual Taste of the Town, presented by Evolve Bank and Trust, with proceeds to benefit the Main Street West Memphis Broadway revitalization initiative.

This year’s event is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m., with Southland Park Gaming and Racing once again playing host. Taste of the Town features an array of local and regional restaurants, caterers and bakeries. In addition to the great food, there will be entertainment for the evening with live music from last year’s popular performers, the Cummins Prison Band, sponsored by Landers Law Firm.

Tasters will rank the delicious offerings by how well their taste buds respond and champions will be crowned. Category winners last year included Southland, Pancho’s, Shoney’s and Custom Catering.

Awards will be given to Best Appetizer, Best Salad, Best Entree, Best Dessert and Best Booth. Tickets are $30 per person in advance or $35 at the door. A table of 10 may be purchased for $300. There will be limited VIP seating with private bar and bartender and complimentary bottles of red and white wine from Bourbon Street Steakhouse Grill for each table. The price of a VIP table is $500.

Tickets are on sale today and may be purchased at Main Street West Memphis at the Regions Bank Building, 231 East Broadway in West Memphis, and the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce, 108 W. Broadway. Taste of the Town is Main Street West Memphis’ only fundraiser.

“This event almost matches our grant money from the State through the real estate tax,” said Main Street director Deborah Abernathy “It’s a third of our funds. Proceeds from Taste of the Town enable our program to maintain daily operations, provide funds improvements and offer training and resource workshops to support the businesses in our Broadway District and beyond.”

Taste of the Town has become a very popular event that locals look forward to each year.

‘We get close to 400 people,” Abernathy said.

“We’ll use the proceeds for a major project in the Main Street District. Last year, for example, we put it toward landscaping.”

For more information on Taste of the Town or becoming a supporter of the Main Street West Memphis program, please visit the Main Street West Memphis Facebook page, or contact Abernathy via e-mail at mainstreet@citywm.com or by phone at (870) 735-

8814.

By John Rech