What better way to sample the best food and drinks South Florida has to offer than in one night, at one location, with all of your friends! The 9th Annual Taste of the Island event will bring together dozens of restaurants and bars to serve up their most popular fare on Monday, November 3, from 6-9 p.m. at Richardson Historic Park and Nature Preserve (1937 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors).
”While Wilton Manors is the second largest gay city per capita in the United States, the Taste attracts not only the LGBT community but also men, women and children from all over South Florida. It truly is an inclusive event and that sets it apart from other events…It is very gratifying to myself and the entire Taste of the Island board that the city of Wilton Manors backs this event 110 percent,” said Shirley Nolen, president and founder of Taste of the Island.
Popular restaurants and bars including Kelly’s Landing, Aruba Beach Cafe, Courtyard Café, New York Grilled Cheese, and Tropics Restaurant (who recently joined the stable of restaurants participating in Taste of the Island as a Master Chef Sponsor), just to name a few, will serve an array of culinary offerings such as pizza, sandwiches, beef, salads, soups, tapas, ice cream, smoothies, beer, wine and liquor. There will also be silent auction items available, and DJ Jose Rose will provide the music.
“Taste of the Island has grown over the years to become a signature annual event in Wilton Manors. The event reflects the diversity and uniqueness of our island city,” said Richard Perez, Taste of the Island Vice-Pesident. “Around 1,000 patrons are expected to attend this year’s three-hour event which also raises funds for some amazing organizations that are dedicated to further improving the quality of life we enjoy here. These organizations are The Wilton Manors Historical Society, Kiwanis Club of Wilton Manors, City of Wilton Manors Leisure Services Department and the Wilton Manors Development Alliance, [and they] will all receive a portion of the money raised. The Wilton Manors Friends of the Library will receive money generated from the silent auction. ”
The event is sponsored by Waste Management, Hotspots Media Group, Camp for Health, Doc’s Plumbing, Dr. Brauss, Arbor Pet Hospital, Dairy Queen, Barton and Miller, City Church, Wells Fargo, Wood Trends, CAAB, Ed French Painting, Poverello, Equality Park Garden Club, Bank United, Seven Eleven, MBR Construction, JP’s Chocolate Shoppe and the Pride Center at Equality Park.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door and can be purchased at Tasteoftheisland.org or at the following locations: Wilton Manors City Hall, 2020 Wilton Drive; Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive; Wilton Manors Library, 500 NE 26 Street; Wilton Manors Development Alliance, 2435 N. Dixie Hwy.; Barton & Miller Cleaners, 2600 N. Dixie Hwy.; Barton & Miller Cleaners, 2331 NE 26 St., Fort Lauderdale.
Event parking will be available at City Hall (2020 Wilton Drive), Hagen Park (2020 Wilton Drive) and the Library (500 NE 26 Street), and free shuttle service from the parking lots to Richardson Park and Nature Preserve will be provided.
