Only a few spots remain for local restaurants and organizations wishing to participate in the upcoming “Taste of Covington County.”
The event, which is the annual fundraiser for the local American Red Cross chapter, is set for May 2, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Kiwanis Community Center.
“We’re almost at capacity for food vendors,” said chapter director Merrill Davis. “Thus far, we’ve got 20 restaurants from all over the county ready to serve up all kinds of food from American to Mexican to Chinese, Japanese, Italian and even some fine Southern home cooking. We can only accommodate 25.”
Davis said this year’s new restaurants are Kickers, who specializes in Cajun cuisine, and Fried Green Tomatoes.
“Kickers just moved in over on (U.S.) Hwy. 29 past Heath, and I’ve heard they do great food, and of course, Fried Green Tomatoes will be serving up home-style food,” he said.
Davis said there are only five additional spots remaining for food vendors.
“Last year was the first year we ever met our fundraising goal,” he said. “So, this year we’ve raised the bar and set our goal at $15,000. All the money we raise goes straight to funding disaster response on a local level.
“Most of the time the money we raise helps propel us into the next fiscal year,” he said. “That’s not the case this year. We’ve experienced a six-year high in single-family fires, so that money is needed today. When we say you have an opportunity to change a life by donating to the Red Cross, you really do.”
Davis said local businesses, church organizations, civic organizations or “anyone who’d like to” are encouraged to participate.
“There are a few organizations such as Florala Health and Rehab, St. Mary’s Breakfast Club, South Alabama Regional Airport, Quaint on Brooklyn, Beyond Measure Ministries, who will be serving up some good food, too,” he said.
“We also need sponsors for the event,” he said. “We ask that anyone who’d like to become a sponsor sign up before April 19 so we can get their name on any marketing materials.”
Event tickets are $15 each and are limited. They are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Red Cross office on Hillcrest Drive or from any Red Cross board member. No tickets will be available at the door.
“We’re telling people, ‘Don’t wait! Your mouth deserves ‘a Taste of Covington County,’” Davis said.
The Luncheon Pilot Club of Andalusia will host its annual Square Picnic Thursday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the Court Square.
Brown bag lunches, featuring a sandwich of one’s choice, chips, snack and a drink, will be $5.
Musical entertainment will also be provided.
The new Dollar Tree store in Andalusia will open its doors on Mon., April 18.
Store officials said the store will offer a seven-days-a-week shopping experience.
Demolition of the building located between the Andalusia City Hall and Springdale is under way this week. Andy Wiggins, director of planning for the City of Andalusia, said the project has been moving slowly, as workers are salvaging and recycling as many materials as possible.
There were nearly 300 “friends” thrown in jail Wednesday during the Andalusia Police Department’s annual Relay for Life fundraiser, Arrest-A-Friend.
Organizer and APD secretary Brandy Smith said more than $7,000 was raised during the day, and more is expected to be collected in the coming days.
“We had 295 warrants issued, and of those, there were only 31 we couldn’t serve,” Smith said. “We still have people who have committed donations, but actually not turned in money yet, so I expect our total to climb even higher.”