Taste on the River experienced its best year ever.

“It was the biggest one yet. It was the best attendance we have had,” said Melissa Sprouse-Brown, chairwoman of the West Columbia Beatification Foundation.

The total raised at the third “Taste” on Feb. 26, was announced at the WCBF meeting Thursday. It was $16,625. Sprouse-Browne said that number could change, but it likely would not change much.

It was the highest amount raised from “Taste,” she said. Sprouse-Browne. said there were 200 registered bidders for the silent auction that was held along with “Taste.”

“I was very pleased with the overall event,” she said.

Bill Mooneyhan, a sponsor of “Taste” who also helped found the event, held at Stone River on the West Columbia Riverwalk, said he was very pleased with the turnout.

“I feel like everyone that attended, got to participate in the work of the West Columbia Beautification Foundation,” said Mooneyhan. “Part of our job is to plant, and make things look better.” But that’s not the only goal of the WCBF.

“We also want to make people aware of the effort we are putting forth to improve the city. And we’d love to make them feel like they are a part of that,” said Mooneyhan. “With the money we’ve raised from every segment of the community, either by ticket sales or by sponsorships, we’d like to feel like it’s based in a total effort to support the work the foundation does. It makes us feel good to have so much participation. And it’s just a good, unifying event.”

She also thanked Mooneyhan.

“Without Bill Mooneyhan, without his vision, there would be no Taste on the River,” said Sprouse-Browne. “He had the foresight to come up with the idea for it.”

Sprouse-Browne said she was not only pleased with the number of people who came to “Taste,” but she was honored that West Columbia City Council members attended, state Sen. Nikki Setzler, Lexington County Councilman Glen Conwell and West Columbia Mayor Bobby Horton.

“It was a pleasure to see such an outpouring of support for the Beautification Foundation,” Horton said. “I was very impressed with not only the size of the crowd, but the enthusiasm I saw for our community.” Horton said the attendance also represented a cross section. “People from various segments of the community were there.”

Sprouse-Browne said the WCBF got an update at Thursday’s meeting on where the proceeds from “Taste” would go.

“We’ll focus on the US 1 Corridor,” Sprouse-Browne said. The WCBF got an update from West Columbia Public Works Director Jamie Hook, Thursday.

“We’re looking at planting 200 trees,” said Sprouse Browne, but there will be a permitting process that involves approval from the S.C. Department of Transportation before ground can be broken for planting.

But to get an idea of what is coming, the WCBF has planted hundreds of tress on Sunset Boulevard, from Meeting Street to I-26.

To get ahead of the game, Sprouse-Browne said the WCBF is already requesting approval now in order to plant trees next spring (in 2020.)

And she is not the only one looking ahead. The restaurants that participated in “Taste” were pleased with the interaction they had, and may said they are already looking to come back for the fourth “Taste.”

Trip Turbyfill, owner of Cafe Strudel West Columbia on State Street, presented food. It’s a must-do event for him.

“We enjoy the community feel,” he said, “seeing customers and meeting new people and sharing some of our food. It’s not always about a direct boost to business, rather it’s about being involved in community.”

Regardless of why you come, Taste on the River has become a very successful event, in a short period of time. And it shows the spirit and the forward-thinking that is prevalent in West Columbia.