Tastes-of-the-Valley Set for April 2

The Rotary Club of Avon-Canton’s 2016 Tastes-of-the-Valley fundraiser is set for Saturday, April 2 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Tower Ridge Country Club, 140 Nod Road, Simsbury.

The club’s eighth annual event will feature the wines of Lost Acres Vineyard in North Granby, craft beers from Bloomfield’s Back East Brewery, Full Moonshine from Hickory Ledges in Canton, and liqueurs from Hartford Flavor Company. Culinary creations will be offered by Abigail’s Grille & Wine Bar, Bento Sushi at ShopRite of Canton, Canton Creamery, Dish ’n Dat, Evergreens Restaurant, Farmington Woods Clubhouse Restaurant and Pub, La Trattoria Restaurant, O’Live A Little Specialty Gourmet, Seasons Restaurant, and The North House.

“We’re excited about a few new twists we added this year,” event co-chair Steve Roberto said.

For the first time, the club will pair the restaurants’ selections with wine, beer or spirits. For example, the beers of Back East Brewery will be paired with sliders from Dish ’n Dat, and liqueurs from Hartford Flavor Company will be paired with dessert.

Music for listening and dancing will be provided by The Colbys, a husband and wife duo from Avon composed of Grammy and Emmy award-winning composer John Colby on keyboard and lead singer Bev Rohlehr, along with an ensemble.

A separate VIP Tasting precedes the main event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Those who buy a VIP ticket to attend will enjoy upscale fine wines from M&R Liquors and appetizers by ShopRite of Canton in addition to the main event’s offerings.

On top of ticket sales, funds are raised through a silent auction at the event. A wide variety of items from local businesses and restaurants will be presented for bid, including a woman’s necklace from Dunstan Jewelers, now observing its 30th anniversary. The auction will also include memorabilia autographed by celebrities in the sports, music and film genres, and themed prize bundles such as sporting and automotive.

A new fundraising opportunity this year will be a wine pull, where patrons pay $20 to “pull” a bottle of wine from a display of decorative bags each containing a bottle of fine wine worth at least $20. Some of the bags will feature bottles of wine worth even more, and there is no way of knowing which bags hold them.

“When someone pulls a bag, it will be a surprise what they get inside,” Roberto said

The club encourages Tastes-of-the-Valley sponsorship as well. Four levels of sponsorships are available that include VIP tickets, sponsor signage at the event, inclusion in promotional materials, and listing on the club’s website.

“The generosity of our food, beverage, entertainment, business and sponsorship participants help make it possible for our army of Rotarian volunteers to give guests a premier night of fun, flavor, and fellowship,” Roberto said.

All fundraising profits go toward charities supported by the club. Locally the non-profits include AMBER Alert, Avon and Canton Dollars for Scholars, FAVARH, Foodshare, and UConn Health Center’s Angel Eye NICU webcam project. Internationally, the club supports polio eradication and clean water, the core projects of Rotary Club International.

“This event is one of the club’s largest efforts to raise funds to support so many people in our community both local and abroad,” Roberto said. “I’m proud to be a part of it, and it has been great working together with co-chair Chuck Joseph.”

Tickets are $50 or $75 to attend the VIP tasting. For tickets or sponsor information contact Chuck Joseph at 908-399-8011 or Chuck.Joseph@wakefern.com. Tickets can also be ordered online through PayPal at www.RotaryClubofAvon-Canton.org. For general information or to donate an item for the auction, contact Steve Roberto at 860-990-8885 or Stephen.j.roberto@gmail.com.

Photo caption: Chuck Joseph Jr. from ShopRite of Canton passes appetizers to a VIP ticket holder during a previous year's Tastes-of-the-Valley.