One of the favorite traditions at the Taste of Eatonton is the grand silent auction display under the tent. This year, the business community has donated over $10,000 in retail value through an assortment of items such as the ones pictured.

It’s that wonderful time of year when the weather starts to cool, the leaves start to change and savory smells fill the air at the Taste of Eatonton. Monday, Oct. 7, the Taste of Eatonton will be held at The Village at Harmony Crossing from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Indulge in bites of new and signature dishes while celebrating the culinary expertise of the community at the 14th annual Taste of Eatonton. Featuring booths for a variety of eateries, the very best of the best gather to impress attendees with their skills to create delectable dishes and showcase the community’s most adored treats. The entire family can enjoy quality food and potentially find a new favorite dining option or two.

This year’s Taste of Eatonton will feature the following restaurants and caterers: Amici Italian Cafe, “At Your Service” Catering & Country Kitchen, Bone Island Grill, Chez Michelle, Crooked Pines Farm, Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, Eatonton Elk Lodge #2549, Kinorhook Bar-be-que, Parkside Main 8 Theatre, Publix Supermarkets, Putnam County High School Culinary Arts, Putnam General Hospital, Quail International, Rock Eagle 4-H Center, Save Room for Seconds, S & S Big Chick, Spillin The Beans Cafe, That Pizza Place, Walmart, Yesterday Cafe and more.

These restaurants will feature a variety of cuisine including steak, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, barbeque, pizza, wings, Quail, sandwiches, macaroni and cheese and popcorn as well as well as cakes, pies and cookies to sweeten the deal.

Tickets are still available for $20 in advance and will be $25 the day of the event, so be sure to get yours early. Tickets for children ages five to 12 are available for $10, and little mouths four and under eat for free. Tickets can be purchased at Farmers & Merchants Bank’s Eatonton and Lake Oconee branches; The Peoples Bank’s Eatonton, Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair branches; Exchange Bank; BB&T; SunTrust Bank; Pinnacle Credit Union; and the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce.

As the largest fundraiser for the Chamber, with funds raised to support business and tourism, the Taste of Eatonton also features a silent auction filled with fabulous local deals and a raffle drawing.

“This year’s silent auction is going to be incredible. We have a wide variety of locally donated items ranging from furniture, home décor, gift certificates to items for the animals in our life equaling over $10,000 in retail value. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our local merchants in their support for the Taste of Eatonton,” says Roddie Anne Blackwell, president for the Chamber.

This year’s raffle is for a Sun Dolphin Aruba Kayak donated by Walmart. Whether enjoying a relaxing day on the lake or indulging in recreational fun, the Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 foot sit-in kayak is the perfect addition to any memorable day. Tickets are five dollars each or five for $20 and can be purchased at the Chamber or at the Taste of Eatonton.

Enjoy an event as treasured as Br’er Rabbit and support one of the best and most long-standing traditions in Eatonton. Clear your schedule, grab your friends and bring your appetite to the 2013 Taste of Eatonton!

The Chamber would like to say a special thank you to the 2013 Platinum Sponsors which include Lake Oconee Dentistry, Putnam General Hospital, Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, Pinnacle Credit Union, Bug House Pest Control, The Peoples Bank, Putnam County Charter School System, Georgia Power Company, Smith Communications, WMGZ/Z-97, Union-Recorder & Lake Oconee Breeze, Dock 103.9 and Farmers & Merchants Bank.

For more information on the Taste of Eatonton call the Chamber at 706-485-7701 or visit www.tasteofeatonton.com for all the juicy details.