Fine drinks, delicious hors d’oeurves, good music and warm company.
A Taste of B.C. is back for its ninth year, and the Sooke Harbourside Lions have been busy creating a night for Sookies to remember on Feb. 4 at Edward Milne Community School, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
This time, the event offers a bigger beer garden featuring six brewing companies, including seven wineries, two distilleries and one cider, all local.
“This is a wonderful night to meet up with friends, neighbours, colleagues or meet someone new,” said Harbourside Lion Maxine Medhurst, who has helped organize the event for several years.
The idea began with featuring local restaurants, pubs, bakeries, tea rooms as well as the region’s diverse variety of wines and spirits. As such, 15 different foods will be available, including dessert.
Like previous years, the event happens in the upper and lower commons of EMCS, which will include a silent auction located in the school’s foyer. The auction features a mix of gift certificates, as well as goods and artwork from local businesses and artisans.
“The objective is for everybody to have a good time, to meet and mingle, taste local foods and drinks, and give back to the community,” said Harbourside Lion Elaine Thrule, another organizer of the event.
It’s all for charity too, as most of the proceeds go to numerous Sooke entities such as the Sooke Food Bank, Sooke Crisis Centre, Family Resource Centre, Sooke Seniors, Sooke Children Garden, among others.
“It’s just really exciting. You feel like you’re doing something that’s great for everybody,” Thrule added.
A free shuttle will be available for anyone needing a ride home, with departure times at 9 and 9:30 p.m. Medhurst said if someone needs a ride then, they can be accommodated.
Space is limited to 300 people. Tickets are $35 and available at Peoples Drug Mart, Shoppers Drug Mart, Pemberton Holmes Sooke office, Little Vienna and EMCS.