The 31st annual Taste of Our Towns (T.O.O.T) festival will take place on Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. in downtown Lewisburg. Returning offerings like The Greenbrier Sporting Club’s shrimp and grits, Dutch Haus’ filet mignon sandwiches, and the Greenbrier Valley Baking Company’s crab cake sliders will have devoted patrons lined up early. Some new and returning favorites included in the 40+ vendors: Stuart’s Smokehouse’s pulled pork, Bridge Road Bistro’s Swift Level meatballs, Smooth Ambler’s Greenbrier Gin marinated beef kabobs, The Market at Courthouse Square’s white chocolate and pumpkin mousse, and The Greenbrier’s bread pudding. As divine as it all sounds, it tastes even better! If you are interested in vending, but have never participated before, there is still time to register. Crowds love their faithful favorites but welcome new and unique culinary creations as well. Please note the deadline for vendors to be on the festival map is Sept. 29. To request a vendor application packet, please contact Carnegie Hall at 304-645-7917. All T.O.O.T vendors must submit a Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) Application with the Greenbrier County Health Department. The permit costs $25, which is 50 percent off the standard fee. For Health Department forms or more details, please visit www.wvdhhr.org/phs/food/index.asp <http://www.wvdhhr.org/phs/food/index.asp>. You’ll find a link to the TFE application (SF-5B Application for Permit to Operate a Temporary Food Service Establishment <http://www.wvdhhr.org/phs/forms/SF-5B%20Application%20for%20a%20Permit%20to%20Operate%20a%20Temporary%20Food%20Establishment.pdf>) and the County Health Guidelines (SF-4: Guidelines for Operating a Temporary Food Service Concession <http://www.wvdhhr.org/phs/forms/SF-4_Temporary_Food_Service_Guidelines_(Booklet).pdf> (booklet layout) located beneath the header “Food Service & Retail Food Establishments.” A sanitarian from the Health Department will be making inspections at the festival. For more information about Health Department requirements, call the Greenbrier County Health Department at 304-645-1539. Remember, T.O.O.T Vendors only accept official T.O.O.T Tokens in exchange for tastes. Cash will not be accepted at vendor booths. Cash only will be accepted at token booths. Credit and debit cards will not be accepted on the day of event. ATM machines can be located downtown at the following locations: City National Bank and First National Bank. Tokens are $1 each in person the day of the festival from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in packets of $5, $10 or $20. T.O.O.T. Tokens can also be purchased in advance by visiting the Greenbrier Valley Visitor’s Center or the Box Office at Carnegie Hall. The 2015 Taste of Our Towns Festival is brought to you by presenting sponsor, SIMI Sonoma County; headliner, Jason and Jen Long; and token booth sponsors, Mary Chappell/Studio 40, First National Bank, Next Day Cleaners, Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, Robert C. Byrd Clinic, MedExpress, Dinsmore & Shohl and Cakes & Cones.
