By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
The aromas of American, Mexican, Chines and other foods will fill the air around Heritage Park this Thursday, September 19, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., when Atmore’s 20th annual Taste of the South takes place.
Last year’s event drew more than 800 people and was the first at which attendees who bought a $10 ticket were allowed to sample the wares offered at every food booth, if they so desired. That will be the case this year, also.
After the food sampling is over, each person is encouraged to cast his or her “vote ticket” for the food or drink he or she most enjoyed along the stretch, as well as for the booth whose decorations most stood out.
Savannah Spence of Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, the event’s sponsor, said last Friday, September 13, that 16 individuals or organizations had already signed up to compete for the five awards that will be handed out after this year’s votes are tallied.
Last year’s winners were David’s Catfish (Best Commercial); Waves Car Wash (Best Amateur); and Atmore Lions Club (Best Drink). Vin-tiques (now Seriously Southern) and Southern Elegance shared a booth, and each came out a winner: Vin-tiques for Best Dessert, and Southern Elegance for Best Decorated Booth.
Organizers are expecting another large crowd this year, and most of the returning vendors are planning for it, too, by increasing the amount of food they offer. Several of the 21 businesses or groups that participated last year ran out as the record crowd moved from booth to booth.
Spence said her recommendation is that folks “come out early, bring the family and come to eat.”