The West Columbia Beautification Foundation‘s 6th Annual Taste on the River is back. It’s scheduled from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at Stone River – 121 Alexander Road – West Columbia.

The best restaurants from around the Midlands are coming together for a night of fun and festivities to support the beautification of West Columbia.
Tickets are $100 per person and include a silent auction, unlimited tastings, and an open bar. Buy your tickets now at bit.ly/TOTR2022

“We’re very much looking forward to Taste on the River,” said Kathy Whetzel. She is the chairwoman for the West Columbia Beautification Foundation. She expects a large crowd because the event is well-attended.

“Tickets are going fast and there is limited capacity, so don’t procrastinate,” said Kelli Ricard, Events Director for the City of West Columbia.

“We’re advising everyone to get your tickets now so you will be pre-registered,” she said. “It will save you a lot of time on the night of the event. You can just walk in and begin enjoying all the wonderful restaurants that will be on hand for Taste on the River. The silent auction will be great, too.”

Whetzel said there will be three new restaurants presenting food samples this year.

“Hite’s barbeque, the best around, will be at Taste on the River and The Hideout in WECO will be making its first-time appearance, along with Arianna’s Greek Restaurant.”

Julia Wolff is the general manager of The Hideout.

“We’re so excited to be a part of Taste on the River,” she said. “We opened in the middle of COVID and Taste on the River is a chance for us to get out in the community and get the word out about who we are.”

Wolff said there may be potential customers who will find out about the Hideout from Taste on the River.

Jolene Bailey is the owner of Buttercream Dreams. She has presented her products at Taste on the River in the past. This year she will offer dessert shooters, chocolate-covered strawberries and maple bacon bars.

“Taste on the River is a chance to expose my business to new members of the community,” said Bailey. “It’s lots of fun and we may see people who don’t know about us.”

She also said she likes the big crowd and the chance to socialize.
“Taste on the River brings out my party side,” Bailey said. “And it makes us feel appreciated when people stop by and talk to us.”

Whetzel said there will be lots of sought-after items available in the silent auction.

“Outdoor Wood Furniture, and Bill McEntire, donated Simply Southern bags and they will be filled with all sorts of good stuff,” she said. Adluh Flour baskets are back this year. They are very popular. There will also be an amazing basket from Senn Brothers Produce.”

A helicopter ride and a family portrait are also items that will be auctioned. 

For questions, please contact Events Coordinator Brittany Raven at [email protected]. 

Thank you to the sponsors: Something Borrowed, LLC, By Design Holiday and Events, Mooneyhan’s Auto, Moore, Bradley, Myers Law Firm, and the Irmo Arbor Day Foundation. For more info: http://ow.ly/eT1Z50J5K5T

Arianna’s restaurant will be making its first appearance at Taste on the River. Below is a list of all the restaurants that will be on hand:

• Black Rooster
• Hite’s BBQ
• Terra
• Blue Marlin Restaurant
• Brookland Baptist Conference Center
• The Hideout in Weco
• Always Original Bakery
• Cafe Strudel West Columbia
• Grecian Gardens Restaurant
• Ariana’s Restaurant
• DeLucca’s Italian Grill
• Buttercream Dreams