Jason Arndt, jarndt@wolfrivermedia.com
Junior Achievement of the Wolf River District will present its annual Taste of Shawano one week earlier than usual this year because of area schools’ spring break schedule.
The event will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 23 at Shawano Community High School, 220 Country Road B, Shawano.
Co-chair Melissa Olsen said 25 to 30 restaurants and vendors are expected to participate in the event, which is a major fundraiser for Junior Achievement.
Junior Achievement involves about 2,500 students in Shawano and Menominee counties. The organization emphasizes work-readiness, entrepreneurship, financial literacy skills and community participation.
Taste of Shawano raises from $8,000-9,000 annually; 100 percent of the proceeds remain in the district.
Participating restaurants will include Longhorn Saloon, Bubba’s BBQ Co., Angie’s Main Cafe, Red Rooster of Bonduel, The Gathering, Farm Inn on Main, and Perkins.
“There will be lots of types of food,” Olsen said. “We will have everything from ribs to meatloaf, desserts, sodas and cheeses. The restaurants will bring their signature dish, so we have quite the variety.”
The attendees are as diverse as the offerings, she said.
“There are people from all demographics,” said Olsen, who enjoys the camaraderie of the event.
“The food is phenomenal and the event is attended by up to 600 community members, so being able to see a lot of familiar faces that we hadn’t run into for a few years is really great,” she said.
Additionally, there will performances by Shuffles Dance Studio, Ignite Dance Studio and the Shawano Community Middle School jazz band. A disc jockey also will provide music.
Olsen, who has volunteered with the event for seven years, said about 30 businesses have contributed toward gift baskets and raffle prizes, including a golf package donated by the Shawano Lake Golf Course and KerberRose, a getaway package to Menominee Casino Resort and a gift basket donated by Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats of Wittenberg.
“It is still ongoing. We might get more,” Olsen said.
Olsen praised the 13 volunteers from area businesses who have collaborated on planning the event over the last seven months for creating a truly community event.
“There is something for everybody,” she said.
Taste of Shawano was conceived by the Leadership Shawano County class of 2007-08 and then adopted by Junior Achievement.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Eighth annual Taste of Shawano
WHEN: 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 23
WHERE: Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B
FYI: Tickets are $15 for adults in advance, $20; $10 for students; free for children younger than 5. Advance tickets can be purchased at CoVantage Credit Union, 911 E. Green Bay St.