The third annual Taste of Highland County event gets underway Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Governor Trimble Place and Governor Foraker Place.
Event organizer and Hillsboro Uptown Business Association President Sharon Hughes, who is also the media sales director at The Times-Gazette, said the event is a great way to showcase local restaurants, chefs, bakers, caterers and other food providers, along with crafters and other unique talents that call Highland County home.
“There really is something for everybody at this year’s event,” she said.
A new addition this year is a cruise-in, which will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the event Hughes said.
In addition to sampling the best cuisine Highland County has to offer, locals can watch as magician Steve Farris performs the sleight of hand and magic tricks he has made famous at area schools, street fairs, and on stage and television.
Vendors don’t have to pay any setup charge, Hughes said, and they can bring their tables and chairs and set up however they’d like.
“Whatever they make, they make,” she said.
Hughes said a 50/50 raffle drawing will be held and local talent will perform throughout the day.
“The owner of Cowaburger, Jason Burns, has ‘Jump Start Music,’” she said, “and he will be taking care of the stage and the music, and he does a great job.”
The Highland County Homeless Shelter will set up and accept donations as well. The shelter has a particular need for canned goods, personal hygiene items and cleaning supplies, Hughes said.
“We’ve got chili and hamburgers and hot dogs and fair fries,” she said, “and don’t forget, the Eagles will be doing their homemade chicken and noodles, which they’re famous for around here.”
Hughes said she is appreciative of the sponsors of this years’ event, and added that she is especially indebted to the City of Hillsboro for rushing completion of the new decorative plaza on Governor Trimble Place.
“The City of Hillsboro has been great to us,” she said. “They’ve been working like crazy to get the front of the newspaper office finished for this event, and it’s beautiful out there… I truly appreciate everything they’ve done.”
Hughes encouraged everyone to come uptown, bring a chair and “sit around and visit with people,” all while enjoying free entertainment.
“I’m expecting a bigger turnout this year than last,” she said. “There are a lot of things going on, with lots of food and lots of vendors, and lots of local people playing some wonderful music.”
The weather man is cooperating with this year’s Taste of Highland County, with forecasters calling for a partly cloudy, crisp day with high temperatures in the mid-50s.
The third annual Taste of Highland County is sponsored by The Times-Gazette, the City of Hillsboro, Merchants National Bank, Highland County Visitors Bureau, the Highland County YMCA, Hillsboro Uptown Business Association, WVNU Radio and NCB.
Reach Tim Colliver at 937-402-2571.
