‘The Good Times are Back’: Taste of Texarkana tonight
TEXARKANA, Ark. — The 29th annual Taste of Texarkana returns tonight after a two-year hiatus.
The event, hosted by Harvest Regional Food Bank, will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Four States Fairgrounds. The theme is “The Good Times are Back!” Harvest expects over 40 food and beverage vendors to offer samples of their best dishes.
“Like so many other events, we had to cancel Taste of Texarkana the past two years due to the pandemic,” Harvest Executive Director Camille Wrinkle said. “But we are so excited to bring the good times — and good food — back. This year’s event will be better than ever.”
Wrinkle said the fundraising goal for Taste of Texarkana is $50,000. All proceeds will benefit the hunger-relief efforts of the food bank.
Harvest Regional serves over 60,000 people in 10 counties each year through a network of more than 100 partner agencies, pantries, shelters and soup kitchens.
“Over the past couple of years, we’ve really expanded the amount of food that we’re getting out to our neighbors, but also our reach,” she said. “We’ve added new programs such as our school pantries and senior food boxes.”
Harvest is up to about 40 vendors for the event, as of Monday.
“That was right about where we were looking to be, so we’re very pleased with that number,” Wrinkle said.
Attendees are invited to sample foods from all the vendors to their satisfaction. Vendors also will vie for several awards, including Best of Taste, Greatest Gourmet, Taster’s Choice, Most Spirit, Crowd Favorite and Best Theme.
Texas High and Liberty-Eylau high schools’ jazz bands will performing at the event, as well.
“For the cost of your ticket, you come in and you’re able to sample favorite dishes from over 35 area restaurants, caterers and beverage providers,” Wrinkle said.
VIP tickets are $50 and include reserved seating and a beverage station, along with other perks.
Adult tickets are $25 in advance ($30 at the door). Entry is $10 for children 6-12 in advance and at the door. Children 5 and younger will be admitted for free.
“It’s always been a crowd favorite because you really can bring the whole family out for less than the cost of going out to eat,” Wrinkle said.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.harvestregionalfoodbank.org or at one of the following locations: TEXAR (main branch on Richmond Road), Julie’s Deli & Market, Dot’s Ace Hardware and Harvest Regional Food Bank.
The Grand Presenting Sponsor is Dr. Ly and Aaron Gaylor, with Presenting Sponsors Farmers Bank & Trust and the Patterson Troike Foundation.
Additional sponsors include Phillips Refrigeration, Ritter Communications and Robbins Toyota.
To learn more or to sponsor or purchase VIP tables for the event, call Harvest at 870-774-1398.
Follow Harvest Regional Food Bank on Facebook for updates.