United Way’s Taste of the County returns with more seats, eats and prizes

STEUBENVILLE -- Area residents who attend one of the Tri-State Area’s biggest fundraising events of the year will notice a few changes.

Scheduled for Oct. 14 at the St. Florian Event Center in Wintersville, this year’s Taste of Jefferson County will feature an updated color scheme and more seating for the hundreds who are expected to turn out to sample offerings from area restaurants -- and assist the United Way of Jefferson County as it continues its mission of helping area residents.

“We want to keep trying to making it bigger and bigger, and the one thing I’m really excited about is that our span is getting wider,” Marci Crawford, executive director of the United Way, said.

At least 18 area restaurants, bakeries, caterers and other facilities are expected to participate. The much-anticipated staple of the October calendar for the last 30 years or so continues to remain popular. Around 320 people attended last year’s event, Crawford said, which made it one of the biggest in recent years.

With that kind of attendance, Crawford said seating has been an issue. The committee organizing this year’s taste said around 100 extra seats were added. This means seating areas have been added to the firehouse portion of the building as well as the Fireside Lounge area.

“When I was walking around last year, there were people literally sitting on the floor. So, we’re putting tables in those other areas, and we’re increasing our seating,” Crawford said.

Businesses scheduled to participate include Cake Roll Creations, Downtown Bakery, EZ Fresh, 7 Ranges, Baby Boyz BBQ, Scaffidi’s Restaurant and Tavern, Pastaio Cucina Rustica Italiana, Undo’s, Josephine’s, A Touch of Elegance, Cason’s Kajun, the Laurels of Steubenville, the Meadows, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Def Louie’s Sandwich Shop, Steubenvlle Bakery, Ohio Valley Sno and Yorkville Bakery.

It’s a lineup that contains some participants that have been a part of the taste for many years, and a few newer ones, like Steubenville Bakery and Yorkville Bakery.

“It’s always exciting when you have new restaurants coming,” Crawford said.

All of the proceeds will benefit the organization’s member agencies, a list that will expanding at the first of the year, Crawford explained. Agencies joining will include the Aim Womens Center, Coleman Health Services, Family Recovery Center, the Jefferson County Housing Department, She Rises and Special Connections.

Adding those agencies means the United Way will have to generate additional funding, Crawford said, which makes fundraising events like the taste even more important.

Representatives from many of the agencies served will be attending the event. They will be making their way around the room to meet those who attend and explain what their organizations do and how the United Way helps them.

“My goal is to make sure people know what the agencies are doing and why they are doing it -- what we are raising money for. I want people to see what a community can do when everyone comes together,” Crawford said.

There will be numerous drawing items, and a 50-50 drawing. Big-ticket items that will be included in the drawings include a special item from Discovery Jewelers, a long-time supporter of the event; a wreath from Exquisite Creations by Joel; sunglasses from Ace Optical; and a prize from Hancock County Savings Bank.

Organizers have kept the admission price at $35, a level they said should encourage more residents to participate.

“You go to a restaurant, and how much are you paying?” Crawford said. “Here, you pay $35 for a ticket and you get to sample offerings from many of the restaurants in Jefferson County. If you are a foodie, if you like to eat, it’s a good evening.”

By providing that experience and evolving over the years, the event has continued to grow, and remains the United Way’s biggest fundraising event of the year.

“I think one of the reasons for that is because people enjoy food,” Crawford said. “It’s also a way for the community to come together and enjoy good food and good company. People from across the area are there. It’s an enjoyable night with an affordable cost, and it’s for a great cause. When you put it all together, nobody in the area does anything like this. People love it -- people wait for it all year.

“We want to keep it affordable so people can enjoy it and see what we do,” she added.

Sponsors for the event include UPMC Trinity, Apollo Pro Cleaning and Restoration, McBane Insurance and Financial Services, Cedar One Realty, Taylor Insurance and Interstate Waste Services.

Tickets can be purchased from any board member; in-person at the United Way office, 511 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, during regular business hours; online at unitedway-jc.org; or by calling the United Way office at (740) 264-9000.

Doors to the event will open at 5:30 p.m., Crawford said, and it will run through 8 p.m.