The 12th annual Taste of Bryant sponsored by Everett Buick GMC on Tuesday, July 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., has already attracted 22 food servers and “it’s early,” noted chairperson Beth Smith of Heartland Community Bank. The event will be held at the Center at Bishop Park, 6401 Boone Road. “Great food continues to be the focus of this event and we welcome five new food vendors this year. New food vendors will feature appetizers, Cajun food, deserts and more,” said Smith. Overall the food includes ribs, steak, Mexican, beans and cornbread, breakfast sandwiches, waffles, chicken, sandwiches, deli, BBQ, home cooked food, salads, soups, specialty, beverages, puddings and pizza. Silent auction items can be donated by anyone who is wishing to draw attention to a product or service their company offers. “It’s instant awareness. We have seen some really clever businesses donate items that bring attention to a new thing that they are doing,” said Anastasia Taylor of Metropolitan Bank, silent auction chairperson. 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 eating out to luxury items 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,” noted Rae Ann Fields, Executive Director of the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce. 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, July 15 to come and get what you want to donate,” noted Fields. “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,” she said. The Chamber has a list of suggested items to go with the “Picnic in the Park” theme. 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. Tickets to the event remain $15 for adults and $5 for children. Kids 6 and under eat free. Tickets go up to $18 at the door that night and tickets are not sold the day of the event as the Chamber office is closed for preparation for the event that evening. Call 847-4702 for more information. Participants to date include: Cajun Eatery, Casa Mexicana, Chick-fil-A, Chili’s, Colton’s Steak House, Cracker Barrel, Dinner’s Ready, Dixie Café, Domino’s Pizza, Home Plate Diner, Logan’s Roadhouse, Miss Helens, Straw Hat Pizza, McAlister’s Deli, Papa Johns, Pit Crew BBQ, Quizno’s Sub, Sonic, Taco Bell, The Painted Butterfly, Waffle House, Zaxby’s. courtsey of : The Bryant Daily (6/29/2011) http://www.bryantdaily.com/post/Vendors-added-to-2011-Taste-of-Bryant-lineup.aspx
