[caption id="attachment_34930" align="aligncenter" width="800"]<img class="size-full wp-image-34930" src="https://mountainmedianews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2018/11/34th-annual-Taste-of-Our-Towns-raises-funds-for-Carnegie-Hall-local-groups.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="600" /> Young visitors enjoy ice cream served by Homestead Creamery.[/caption] <h1>Carnegie Hall’s 34th annual Taste Of Our Towns (TOOT) proved once again why it is one of West Virginia’s most popular festivals.</h1> On Oct. 13, thousands of local residents and visitors packed the streets of historic downtown Lewisburg to taste food created by over 40 regional vendors, listen to local bands, and participate in fun and educational activities. Despite the early morning drizzle and cooler temperatures, TOOT guests enjoyed a beautiful day, and the event raised funds for Carnegie Hall and other area nonprofits and businesses. This year, vendors collectively grossed nearly $52,000 in sales. Carnegie Hall received more than $16,000 as its 25 percent of vendor sales. Vendors took home nearly $36,000. The Greenbrier and The Greenbrier Sporting Club donated about 40 percent of their earnings to the Hall, contributing tremendously to the success of the event as a fundraiser. Without 2018 TOOT Sponsors the event would not be possible. Sponsors included: Benefactor MedExpress; Underwriters A New Chapter, Kroger, and Premier Bank; and Contributors Country Road Realty, LLC, Hashtag WV, PostNet, and Sandy Epling, State Farm. Carnegie Hall would like to recognize following contributors: Volunteers from the Carnegie Hall Board of Directors, Lewisburg Rotary, Cliff Baker and Boy Scout Troop #70, Church of Latter-Day Saints, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Davis-Stuart, Inc., High Rocks/The Hub, and Richland Ruritans, as well as individuals who regularly volunteer for Carnegie Hall contributed largely to the success of the event. The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau sold tokens and promoted TOOT. Special thanks to City of Lewisburg Police, Fire, and Public Works, Gillespie’s Flowers & Productions, The Brothers Agency, Greenbrier County Health Department, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, LUMC, NRCTC, Simms Exxon, The Lewis Theatre, and the State Fair of West Virginia. The randomly selected winner of the #TOOT2018 social media photo contest was The French Goat. The winner won a Carnegie Hall t-shirt. Thanks to all who participated. Attendees traveled from all over West Virginia, the United States, Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. TOOT is made possible by the generosity and support of the community and is always held the 2nd Saturday in October. Plans for next year are already underway. To learn more about how to become a sponsor, vendor, or volunteer next year, please call 304-645-7917 or visit www.carnegiehallwv.org.
