Chow down for charity
The 17th annual Taste of Southern Illinois will be offered to the public 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday It's purpose is to raise money for charity. The food will be served at the Bonan Business Center in Delicacies will be offered by the finest restaurants from Carbondale to Harrisburg and from as far north as Mt. Vernon. The Bonan Business Center - formerly the SIC Foundation Building - will be crowded Sunday as it has been in years past.
"We are just really pleased to have it here in Harrisburg. For the price of one ticket people can sample as much of any of the food and drink as they want," said Michael Tison, event organizer.
The crowd figures in the past have been over 300. Tison expects the same success this year. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Tison encourages advance purchases for the sake of the restaurants' planning. They need to know how much food to bring.
The charities aided by this year's fundraiser are Hospice of Southern Illinois, Lighthouse Shelter, Mentors 4 Kids, Fowler Bonan Foundation's Clothes For Kids Drive and the Boy Scouts.
"The Flame Grill and Bar in Carbondale will be serving chicken piccatta and bruchette. The Mount Vernon chophouse named Rare Chop House will be serving prime rib," Tison said.
Besides the vendor restaurants who donate their food, Tison said that 12 loyal sponsors help support the event each year.
"It's a really good deal, you can try a lot of good food and help local charities at the same time," he said.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 253-4444, Tison's Harrisburg office.
The vendors at this years event will be 17th Street Bar and Grill, Alto Vineyards, Johnson's Southern Barbeque, Koerner Distributor, Inc., Kokopelli, Mackie's Pizza, Marion Red Lobster, Panera Bread, Peking Place, Pepsi MidAmerica, Rare Chophouse, Tequilas Mexican Restaurant, The Chocolate Factory, Pheasant Hollow Winery and Wooded Hills Bar and Grill.
The supporting sponsors are First Southern Bank, Wells Fargo Tison Wealth Management and The Medicine Shop. Other sponsors are Raben Tire and Auto, Tison and Hall, the Daily Register, Liberty
Utilities, Ameren Illinois, Shawnee Communications, All In One Real Estate Co. Bulldog Systems and
Harrisburg Medical Center.