Celebrating 20 years, 'Taste of Carroll' fundraiser for Carroll Hospice set for April 29

The annual Taste of Carroll fundraiser turns 20 years old this year, a fact that will be reflected in the theme, and perhaps, even the dress of the attendees.

“It’s a Great Gatbsy theme, with the roaring ’20s, for the 20th anniversary,” said Robbin Nolen, chair of the event. “People can come dressed up for that, or, if they want, you can come dressed in business casual.”

To be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, April 29, this year’s Taste of Carroll event will feature food and drink from around 38 local restaurants, caterers and distilleries, according to Nolen, all hosted in the Carroll Hospital East Pavilion.

Tickets are $100 and available online at www.carrollhospice.org, with all proceeds going to support Carroll Hospice and the Dove House.

“The goal of the Taste of Carroll is to raise funds to support all the uncompensated programs that Carroll Hospice offers to the community, some of them being bereavement, grief counseling, the veterans program, the children programs,” Nolen said. “Programs that are not supported by funds otherwise.”

Programs like Camp TR, for children who have lost a loved one, and support groups, open to the whole community, she said, for parents who have lost a child, or families who have lost a loved one to an opioid drug overdose.

In 2018, according to Nolen, Taste of Carroll raised around $185,000.

“Our goal this year is to raise $200,000,” she said. “We are very excited.”

New vendors this year include Linwoods restaurant and Tenth Ward Distilling Company.

“Silver Oak Academy is joining us this year ad well as Outlaw BBQ,” Nolen said. “Also Sweet Revenge Cupcakes. They are new to Downtown Westminster.”

There will also be opportunities to further support Carroll Hospice through an auction or direct donations at the event, Nolen said.

“It’s a wonderful event in that that food and beverages are amazing and the event itself supports a cause, Carroll Hospice, that serves our whole community. It serves folks in a stage of their life where they need help and support,” she said. “The Taste of Carroll raises the funds to allow Carroll Hospice to do that.”