Grab your friends or bring a date for a night of music, charity, fun, and a whole lot of food! Taste of Union County will be holding its 10th annual celebration, and is a can’t miss event for the culinary connoisseurs and commoners alike! 
Drawing hundreds of attendees throughout the area, Taste of Union County has been a local favorite since its inception, back in 2009. The festival was originally founded by Modene Howie, as a fundraiser for the Operation Reach Out charity. Howie immediately tasked friend and co-ministry volunteer Linda Hastings to come up with an idea that revolved around the idea of bringing good food and the local community together.
With over 25 restaurants participating, the generous First Presbyterian Church in Monroe donating the venue, plus a handful of committed sponsors, including its title sponsor, Tyson, the cost of the event itself is considerably minimal. Consequently, the lion’s share of proceeds can head directly into Operation Reach Out.
The event will showcase live music from Borderline Band, and don’t be surprised if things turn into a dance party, as they have in years past. In addition, they will hold a silent auction, featuring themed gift baskets such as chocolates, movie night, spa, kitchen and cooking, tailgating, fishing, and many more. They’ll also be raffling off miscellaneous prizes such as a signed Panthers football and game tickets, beach house rentals, and Nascar tickets.
And for the participating restaurants, they too have a chance to win something, as attendees vote for Best Taste and Best Presentation. Food vendors decorate their own tables, and “dress to impress” from the plated food to the table display itself.
In honor of its 10-year anniversary, Taste of Union organizers are offering tickets at the promotional rate of $30 for the first, and $10 off of the second. So for $50, couples can expect full bellies from a medley of flavors from the likes of Dream Dinners, Bisonte Pizza, Jefferson’s Deli, Brusters Ice, Kate Clyde’s and many more. Tickets go on sale as of August 10thand can be purchased online via opreachout.org. With this being a landmark anniversary, ticket holders are encouraged to arrive early and stay to play!
“My favorite thing to do is walk around and ask people how they’re doing. Of course we’re always remembering it’s a fundraiser, but I still want people to feel like they’re getting their money’s worth AND donating to a great cause,” says Hastings.
The event itself will be held on September 29th, from 5:30-8pm, and with it serving as Operation Reach Out’s biggest fundraiser of the year, it’s a win-win for all those affiliated. This particular charity has been around for over 30 years, and Hastings’ relishes the awareness that such an event is giving to this very honorable cause.
