Wine, music, food and community were just some of the main ingredients for a fun-filled afternoon at the Child & Family Center’s 37th annual “Taste of the Town” fundraiser.
With a crowd of over 1,000 attendees over the age of 21, about 30 booths each gave a spoonful – or cup-filled — taste of what they offer during the cool Sunday at SoCal Innovation Park in Valencia.
Nikki Buckstead, president and CEO of Child & Family, said it was incredible to see the community come out and support the cause.
“People will come together for a cause that they believe in, and they’re willing to show up and spend a Sunday afternoon out here … with their friends, with their neighbors, with their coworkers, and listening to great music, and it really touches my heart to know how many people in this community truly care,” Buckstead said.
Buckstead added that Taste of the Town gives people a chance to be with their community.
“You can come out, you can learn about new restaurants, find new wineries, listen to the band, meet new people at your table,” Buckstead said. “But then also visit Child & Family Center’s booth and learn about the services that we provide. All the services that we provide are free to anybody who walks through our door, and that’s really important.”
Buckstead said that all the money raised at the event goes to many different programs and services at the center. Some examples Buckstead gave were about a child who needs money to continue mental health services or mother and daughter showing up at the domestic violence shelter who need help.
She said the center never wants to turn people away.
Trish and Alex Slaten, two Santa Clarita residents, said they decided to come to support the cause and their area of the Santa Clarita Valley.
“We had gone to this event a long time ago, and then we moved away, and now that we’re back, we want to pick up where we left off. We’ve always enjoyed it,” Alex said.
Trish said her favorite part of the afternoon is seeing all the restaurants and friends. Alex said he loves the relaxed atmosphere.
“We had the chicken kebabs from Olive Terrace. Ooh, those were good,” Trish said when asked what their favorite food item was so far.
As the band Mark LeVang and Friends played, everywhere people looked, there were smiles painted over attendees’ faces with wine glasses or food in hand.
Friends Ariana Hernandez and Karina Cardenas said they came to see what the event was all about.
“So, I think this was like a great place to come and kind of get to know different places and everything like that. And honestly, everything has been amazing, great, (and) delicious,” Cardenas said.
Hernandez said that the event is a smart way for people to come and support a good cause.
Hernandez added that people should also try new things.
“We didn’t think it was; we didn’t expect everything that we would have experienced today. It was a really fun experience and you’re supporting something,” Hernandez said.
Greg Amsler, owner of Salt Creek Grille, said the restaurant has been participating in the event for about 28 years, saying they had been here before the restaurant officially opened.
“It really shows how good this community is and how well it supports our nonprofits,” Amsler said.
Salt Creek Grille served the guests a slow-roasted braised short rib with garlic mashed potatoes and a red wine demi-glaze.
Amsler said one of his favorite things about the restaurants is the camaraderie between the restaurants at the event.
“And we all share food together, and somebody needs plates, or if you need this, or you need that, even, helping out with, with labor,” Amsler said. “Somebody’s like, ‘Hey, do you got somebody you want to come and volunteer? Absolutely.’ And all of our staff has volunteered and it’s just, it’s just something that’s kind of fun to look forward to.”
