The Ringgold High School Tiger Band is presenting its inaugural Taste with the Tigers fundraising event Saturday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northwest Georgia Amphitheatre in Ringgold. The event features samples from local restaurants, caterers and vendors along with various performances by the award-winning Tiger Band and related ensembles.
"It's going to be incredible entertainment by young people, and it's an opportunity to sample food from different restaurants that guests may not normally go to," said Vanessa Walden, secretary for Ringgold Band Boosters Inc.
Participating food providers will offer one or more 2- to 6-ounce portions of various bites. And there will be variety. For example, local eateries including Nothing Bundt Cake, Mellow Mushroom, Chicken Salad Chick, Richard's Restaurant, Moe's Southwest Grill and Jack's Family Restaurant have already signed up, and organizers are continuing to recruit.
For a discounted ticket price, the event is also open to those simply looking to enjoy music performed by the band. The entire band program will be performing at 11 a.m. and different ensembles will perform thereafter.
Proceeds will be put toward the band's trip to New York this spring to perform at Carnegie Hall, as well as new instruments and repairs of existing ones, music and instructors.
Traditionally, the band program has done fall fundraisers such as selling candles or wrapping paper. After Walden and her husband visited a similar event at a high school in the Atlanta area, she and other band parents and faculty decided to try the concept for their own band program.
"Hopefully after they [restaurants] participate and see how well it does and it potentially drives traffic to their restaurant, then maybe we can make it an annual event," Walden said.
Tickets cost $10 in advance or $12 at the door and include six tastings and a soft drink or water. For those who want to attend but not sample food, tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Tickets can be purchased from band students, parents and faculty or online at ringgoldband.org.
Those interested in providing samples at the event should email ringgoldtigerband@gmail.com by Oct. 18. There is no fee to participate other than the cost of the food provided.
Contact Sarah Turner at 423-757-6579.