The Half Pint was named the winner of Saturday’s Taste of Marysville event at the Marysville High School Field House. The Hope Center of Marysville was presented a check for $1,000 from the net proceeds of the night. Representatives of both organizations are pictured above with volunteers from the Vine Church and representatives of event sponsor Pathways Financial Credit Union. Pictured above from left to right are, in the front row, Vine volunteers Mandie Erwin, Elizabeth Light, Ekta Sharma, Janet Pyers, Gabriella Pyers, Kyndra Antrim, Selena, Debbie Kelley, Sara Johnson, Aiden Johnson and Andrew Antrim, in the second row Vine volunteer Connie Poe, Pathways representatives Amanda Parker, Shannon Dishong, Jon May, Shalee Duclos of the Half-Pint, event coordinator Marie Woodford, Becky Bolt of the Hope Center, Pastor Jerry Poe of The Vine Church, Half-Pint workers Josh Starr, Breanna Holland and Emily Reynard, and in the back row, Vine volunteers Penny Miller, Jackie Reid, Richard Meek, Lanny Fraley, George Pyers, Michelle Winans, Gail Pyers, Sidney, Ryan Erwin, Bev Fry, Eric Light, Angela Johnson, Jim Johnson, Joy Raines, Bill Raines and Jessica Antrim.
(Journal-Tribune by Kevin Behrens)
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Despite some unforeseen issues, organizers are pleased with the 2019 Taste of Marysville, held Saturday at Marysville High School Field House.
“Even though there were a few vendors that had emergencies and couldn’t attend, we had a really great time and I think those who attended were very glad they did,” said event coordinator Marie Woodford.
She specifically mentioned that one vendor had a family emergency and another suffered a broken leg.
Officials said that nearly 1,000 tasters participated, but evening rain “kept the event from breaking any records.”
Woodford said he was pleased the fundraiser was able to raise $1,000 for the Hope Center.
Half Pint was voted the favorite taste of Marysville going through almost 800 hamburger samples. Roosters was a close second in the favorite taste competition.
Woodford said the vendors make the event a positive experience for participants and said she, “would still like to encourage everyone to patronize the Taste vendors this summer.”
The Vine Church’s efforts also didn’t go unnoticed by the patrons either. Officials said the church brought “a small army of volunteers” and kept the tables clean all night.
“We really appreciate The Vine Church because without their help the event would be difficult to host,” said Woodford.
Kevin Behrens, Journal-Tribune publisher, said that as the event experiences some growing pains, he is reminded of how Taste of Marysville began. He said the event was started, in 2005, by Bob Whitman, “who still volunteers at the event today.”
“About 15 years ago I remember getting a call from Bob to come to a meeting with Joni Izard and Deb Bevington to talk about helping with the first Taste,” Behrens said.
He explained that Whitman wanted to create something that showcased area food choices with hopes that patrons would visit those restaurants or order from the vendors for graduation parties or family get together later in the summer.
“The event still embodies today what Whitman started and even though the entertainment and food choices have changed over the years, the gathering with the help of Pathways and Walnut Crossing this year, is still something that allows volunteers to raise money locally all while giving back to the community,” Behrens said.