It’s Taste of Ferndale Time – Feb 21
Taste of Ferndale Feb 21
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Ferndale 115 News, Feb.1, 2012 ed)
The Ferndale Community Foundation is getting ready for their big annual fundraiser, The Taste of Ferndale. This unique event gives Ferndale restaurants an opportunity to showcase their foods to a crowd of people from all over the greater Ferndale Area.
Greg Pawlica, the newly elected Chairperson of the Board, says this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever. “We have held the event at Via Nove for past three years and they treated us very well. Last year was our highest attended event at nearly 250 people. We almost had to turn away people at the door out of fear the Fire Marshall might shut us down. When we began planning this year’s event, we knew that we needed to find a larger venue.
“Boogie Fever appears to be a perfect fit. At Boogie Fever, we’ll have everything on one level.”
So far over a dozen restaurants have signed up. The list includes: Anita’s Kitchen, B-Nectar, Chizzano Coffee, Christine’s Cuisine, Dinos Lounge, Grab n Go Sushi, Howe’s Bayou, MiChigo Pizza, Pete’s Broadway Café, Rosie O’Grady’s, Treat Dreams, Rock City Pies, Valentine Vodka, and The Emory.
The Metro Jazz Voices, Detroit’s Premier Four Part Harmony Vocal Jazz Ensemble, will be performing. This will be their third consecutive year performing at the Taste of Ferndale. “We think they really help transform the atmosphere of the event,” Pawlica said.
Another new perk is The Giving Tree. Pawlica explained “The Giving Tree will have lots of envelopes on it which contain gift certificates to local businesses valued at $20.00 or more. For $20.00, you can pick any envelope on the tree. You could win $25.00 certificate to a local restaurant or maybe a $50.00 for a massage. You can’t lose!”
Last year, The Taste of Ferndale raised over $9,000 through corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, and silent auction proceeds. This year the Community Foundation hopes to raise over $12,000. The money raised is used to provide grants to projects that benefit the community. Groups like Ferndale Youth Assistance, FernCare, Michigan Fallen Heroes, Ferndale Historical Museum, Ferndale Beautification Commission, Peace Action of Michigan and Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency have all put Community Foundation grants to work.
Tickets are $32.00 and can be purchased through our website, at the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority offices on 9 Mile, Just 4 Us books and novelty store, or by calling 248-672-4067. There will also be an Afterglow party at Howe’s Bayou where everyone is welcome.
Whether you want to support local charities, or enjoy some good food, Taste of Ferndale is a good choice according to Pawlica. “Ferndale is just as diverse in our food choices as we are in the people who live and work in the city. This event allows people to discover restaurants they may have never heard of before and be reintroduced to some favorites they may not have visited in a while.”
For more information check out the Community Foundation website at www.ferndalecommunityfoundation.org.
For previous Taste of Ferndale coverage, see:
http://ferndale115.com/nuevo/2011/03/09/fat-tuesday-among-friends-a-taste-of-ferndale/
http://ferndale115.com/nuevo/2011/02/22/a-taste-of-the-community-foundation/
