Taste of the Town Draws Hundreds, Raises Money to Fund Literacy Programs

The annual Taste of the Town fund-raiser has its organizers thinking after a second successful outing.

"We have got enough of a demand to think about how to accommodate more people," Jeff Smith, board president of the Foundation for Baltimore County Public Libraries, said following last weekend's event.

The event again sold out weeks ahead of schedule, cramming the Perry Hall Library with more than 300 attendees.

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Although official numbers won't be in until later this week, the event is on track to meet or possibly exceed 2012's $120,000-take from ticket sales, in-kind donations, gifts and cash from the silent auction, according to Smith. 

Money raised benefits the Foundation for Baltimore County Public Libraries, which supports early childhood literacy programs such as My First Library Card, Summer Reading Club and Storyville, as well as numerous other projects and programs at county libraries, according to a release.

"We're hopeful that the numbers will be the same if not better than last year," Smith said.

Twenty restaurants from across the Baltimore region donated signature dishes as the draw for the Taste of the Town, although food is only complimented by food experts like celebrity chef John Shields who wined and dined attendees throughout the Saturday evening.

"I thought it was nice to have that added touch," Smith said.

Were you one of the lucky 300 to attend the Taste of the Town? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.