Taste Of The South Raises $200,000+ For Charity! Just A Little Southern Hospitality…

NORTHWEST -- What began in 1982 as a simple way for a group of southern transplants to share their home traditions with their fellow D.C. residents, the annual Taste of the South gala has turned into a charitable juggernaut, with over $4 million raised to date.

And Saturday night, hundreds of Washingtonians braved the tail end of a vicious thunderstorm to attend the 2011 incarnation of the celebration at DAR Constitution Hall.

Representatives and sponsors from the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina, and Virginia had travelled to the District just for the occasion, with the dual desire to share various examples of their respective states’ forms of hospitality and raise money for various worthy causes.

Florida, for example, had oranges, salt water taffy, and key lime pies available for guests courtesy of various state sponsors, such as Disney, Publix, and CSX. Meanwhile, Texas had tables full of BBQ platters from Hill Country Barbecue Market and Texas Tech University.

The overall theme of the evening was “City Lights, Southern Nights” and each individual state offered its own take on things. Arkansas, for example, advertised a state theme of “Down on Main Street” and Kentucky invited attendees to experience a “Night in the Bluegrass”.

As in years past, feasting gave way to dancing as the night progressed, with a live jam band keeping the sweaty crowd bouncing until the 1:00 a.m. last call.

VIP ticketholders were treated to a variety of premium drinks and bites in a special lower-level lounge that featured miniature constructs of both the United States Capitol and the Washington Monument, as well as a variety of silent auction items.

All told, this year’s sold-out gala raised more than $200,000 for a diverse mixture of both local and southern charities, including the Children's Safety Center and The Capital Area REACH Program.

2011 Gala Executive Officers thank guests for their support.
Dixie does good!