BY ANN CIPPERLY
FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — With the area’s best restaurants serving a variety of scrumptious dishes, the annual Taste of the Town will provide an exciting evening, featuring food and beverages, a silent auction and music on Tuesday, April 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Museum of East Alabama. From appetizers to desserts, chefs will showcase a tasting of their best dishes, and wine from Santé and other beverages will be served. Tickets are $30.
This year’s event will be held under tents. Ticket holders will enter at the museum’s entrance and exit through the fire truck exhibit to the food tent. The silent auction will be held at the pavilion. Tables for seating will be available.
Proceeds from the fundraiser provide for operation and upkeep of the museum. Every year, visitors from around the globe visit the museum to view the history of East Alabama.
Located at the site of the old Clement Hotel on 9th Street, the museum contains over 5,000 artifacts from Lee and other surrounding counties. The museum was founded in August 1989 by the late Eleanor and John T. Harris. Volunteers kept the museum operating until funds were available to hire a director.
Glenn Buxton served as director for many years and retired at the end of last year. Kylie Hogue is the new director.
“I want to fully represent each county, story and legacy of the region,” said Hogue. “I want to build relationships that solidify the museum in its mission to link the past with the present. We want every person who visits to be able to connect with something we have in the museum.
“The Taste of the Town is our most important fundraiser of the year,” Hogue added. “It provides funds for the general operation of the museum and is a great opportunity to interact with the community. We get to see old friends and show off new items at the museum.”
Among the permanent exhibits are the World War II POW Camp collection, John Herbert Orr collection, Pepperell Post Office and other items from Pepperell Mill, a covered bridge exhibit and antique doll collection.
Lee County’s business, rural and architectural heritage are also displayed. Other exhibits include Civil War, collection of arrowheads, World War II exhibit, local fire and police exhibits, vintage apparel, exhibits on Roy Lee Jackson, Billy Hitchcock, a pioneer frontier kitchen with a wood burning stove, an outdoor tractor exhibit and much more.
“We thank the restaurants, sponsors and those who donate to the silent auction for their continued support of the Taste,” said Jim Hardin, president of the board. “It is our major fundraising for the year and is critical for our service efforts to preserve the history of East Alabama.”
Tickets for the event are $30 and are available at the museum or online at eastalabama.org/visit. Membership is also available on various levels.
The Museum of East Alabama is located at 121 South 9th Street in downtown Opelika. Hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 2 to 4 p.m. The museum is closed Sundays and Mondays. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.
For further information, call the museum at (334) 749-2751.
