×

Sampling event set for Oct. 16

You can get a sampling of a variety of food and beverages at select restaurants in downtown Altoona later this month in an inaugural event that will raise money for arts organizations located in the city’s center.

The self-guided Fall Taste of Downtown Altoona is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 16 and will feature at least eight restaurants and other venues, said Patrick Miller, executive vice president of Altoona-Blair County Development Corp., which is helping to coordinate the event.

He credited the proprietors of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit with suggesting the idea and organizing restaurants to get involved.

“We thought the idea has a lot of merit, but there should be a purpose to it,” Miller said. “We decided to raise money for the seven arts community organizations that are actually located in the downtown.”

The proceeds will be equally divided among the seven groups, Miller said.

Tickets are $20 each and are available from any of the organizations benefiting: the Blair County Arts Foundation, the Altoona Community Theatre, the Blair Concert Chorale, the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, the Altoona Area Public Library, the Allegheny Ballet Company and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.

That Sunday evening, an opening reception will begin at 4 p.m. at the Heritage Discovery Center at 1421 12th Ave. There, ticketholders may partake of complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Gary’s Groceries and More and beverages, peruse the menus and maps of participating restaurants, and meet local arts officials, Miller said.

“By 4:30, everybody will scatter” to the restaurants, he added.

The menu by location:

* Bill Sell’s Bold restaurant, jalapeno crab cakes on red slaw with mango vinaigrette and smoked kielbasa and pineapple bites with teriyaki glaze

* Railroad City Brewing Co., a sampling of handcrafted ales

* Penn State Dining Car, to be located on 12th Avenue, pumpkin latte

* Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, pulled pork slider, cole slaw and baked potato casserole

* Zoe’s Cafe, smoothies, acai bowls, pitas, organic beverages

* Tom & Joe’s, the “Famous” Mess

* Tac-o-The Town, cinnamon chips

* Schraff’s Food Truck, at Heritage Plaza, assorted sandwiches

* Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, wine tasting and baked ziti

Mirror Life Writer Cherie Hicks is at 949-7030.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today