Taste of Fort Scott fund-raising event set for Sept. 16

The Third Annual Taste of Fort Scott fund-raising event will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main St.

Tickets for Taste of Fort Scott are $20 and are available at Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce office, 231 E. Wall St.

The event, sponsored by the chamber, gives the community a chance to sample many fine adult beverages and food items from a variety of local and regional vendors.

"It's a great opportunity for businesses to showcase food they have that maybe some of our citizens haven't tried," event co-chair Mark McCoy said.

There has been some confusion among some local residents about the difference between Taste of Fort Scott and the Taste of Home Cooking School that is coming to Fort Scott Oct. 3. However, Taste of Fort Scott co-chair Martha Scott said they are only similar in name.

"This is an event for couples that is more of a social event than a learning event," Scott said. "To me, one (Taste of Home) is kind of totally cooking, not even food, just cooking. We're (Taste of Fort Scott) a party."

Among the highlights, Scott said that popular Kansas wineries, Wildwood Sellers and Smoky Hill Winery, will be present at the event.

Another highlight this year is cigar sampling. Scott said that anyone interested can purchase a "nice cigar" and sit out on the theatre patio and smoke. The cost of the cigars is not covered by the $20 ticket.

There will also be a silent auction that gives guests a chance to win a variety of gift items. Scott said that this year's silent auction will have an added feature.

"For those impatient people, we will have a buy-it-now prize," Scott said. "So, if they see something they really want and are willing to pay the buy-it-now price, they can walk away with it. They don't have to wait around all evening (for the auction)."

Scott said the previous two Taste of Fort Scott events have been popular among local residents. She added, however, that more than just local residents attend the event.

"We also have a lot of out-of-town folk that come to this event from Kansas City and Wichita. For this type of event, it's a real bargain for them."

McCoy said he is impressed with how successful Taste of Fort Scott is, considering the town's size.

"This type of event is unheard of in small towns," McCoy said, adding that these types of events usually take place in Kansas City, Lawrence, Manhattan and Wichita.

Scott said previous events have drawn close to 200 attendees, and she hopes that the total will climb even higher this year.

"The Taste of Fort Scott is a unique and fun Fort Scott event," Scott said. "It provides an opportunity to taste and learn about wines, beers and other adult beverages and to sample specialty food items from several of our local restaurants. Fort Scott has much to offer from a culinary standpoint, and this is a great way to showcase the best of Fort Scott."

Proceeds from this year's Taste of Fort Scott will go to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and will be directed toward remodeling of the chamber offices and the Tourist Information Center.