The Taste of Eatonton is an event as treasured as Bre’r Rabbit’s statue, and a delicious way to discover new flavors and restaurants in the area. The Taste is an annual event meant to showcase new restaurants and old favorites and to remind people to shop, and eat, locally.

Taste of Eatonton tickets go on sale Sept. 1 at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce and area bank branches. More than 25 local restaurants will be stationed on the lawn of The Plaza Arts Center on Monday, Oct. 3 from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Bonnie Simmons, the tourism and special events coordinator with the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce, helps to coordinate the event for months in order to create the most variety possible.

“While it is the Taste of Eatonton, we get restaurants from Milledgeville to Lake Oconee and Madison,” said Simmons. “This is a community-wide event.”

This is the Taste of Eatonton’s 12th annual dinner. The staff has been preparing for the Taste since mid-summer, and it is the Chamber’s largest fundraiser of the year.

“The Taste of Eatonton would not happen if it wasn’t for the wonderful team of Chamber Ambassadors, the many dedicated volunteers from local banks, the support of local merchants to the Silent Auction and those delicious participating restaurants,” Simmons said.

Middle Georgia restaurants feature vendors who serve anything from desserts to steak to unique dipping sauces to chicken dishes. As an additional attraction, a silent auction featuring fantastic items donated by local businesses will enhance the evening of great food and great merchandise. Last year, the Taste featured 24 restaurants.

“We are looking forward new participation this year from area restaurants and caterers,” Simmons said. “The participating restaurants are continually being updated on www.TasteofEatonton.com.”

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the Taste, so those who are interested are urged to purchase their tickets in advance. Typical attendance is around 500 patrons. Tickets for children ages five to 12 are available for $10, and little mouths four and under eat for free. The entire family can enjoy a quality meal, and potentially pick up great local items in one location.

For vendors, the event free to participate in, and the Chamber will provide two six-foot tables for a tent covered 10 by 10 space, small plates, utensils and napkins. Restaurants are encouraged to decorate their spaces and showcase tastes of their food in a delectable manner. Electricity will be available if needed. For Simmons, the Taste is a great time to discover a new favorite dish.  

“My favorite aspect of the evening is eating, of course.  Specifically tasting all the specialties of the local cuisine that I may not have tried off the menu, but definitely have finding a new favorite dish,” she shared.

Sponsors of this year’s taste include Platinum Sponsors: Bone Island Grill at Crooked Creek Marina, Eenoco Japanese Steak & Sushi, AT&T, WMGZ/Z-97, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Union-Recorder & Lake Oconee Breeze, Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, The Peoples Bank, Smith Communications, Dock 103.9 and R&R Insurance. Gold Sponsors: Georgia Power Company, Allgood Pest Solutions and Putnam General Hospital. Silver Sponsors include: Huskins Law Firm and Hallman Wood Products.

Tickets can be purchased at Farmers & Merchants Bank Eatonton and Lake Oconee branches; Exchange Bank; BB&T; SunTrust Bank; Pinnacle Credit Union; and The Peoples Bank Eatonton, Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair branches.  

For more information, contact the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce at (706) 485-7701 or visit www.TasteofEatonton.com.