Taste varieties hit the Fort Smith Convention Center

 

story and photos by Joel Rafkin
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There was plenty to eat at the Fort Smith Convention Center on Tuesday (Oct. 25) as almost 2,000 people came out for lunch or dinner (or both) at the 24th Annual Taste of Fort Smith, an Altrusa International charity event.

Forty-six vendors were listed on the menu although a few were absent for the lunch session at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., but left cards at their booth’s stating they would be there for the dinner session at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A line of people ringed the periphery of the exhibit hall and moved at a fast pace from booth to booth considering the amount of people being served. Tickets for the event were $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Proceeds will benefit Literacy Council of Western Arkansas, Fort Smith Public Library, Children’s Service League, Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy, Community Clearinghouse and Community Rescue Mission. The event was sponsored by Simmons First National Bank.

There was something for everyone regardless of one’s palate. Fried chicken from Zaxby’s and Chick-Fil-A, Mediterranean food from Casbah, shrimp linguine alfredo and scampi from Red Lobster, wine from Wiederkehr Wine Cellars and beer from Belle Point Beverages, smoothies and iced tea from Miss Ellie’s Coffee and desserts galore from multiple vendors just to name a few.

So many choices and such hardcore eating can be stressful, but that was covered. Two massage therapists from Inner Peace Massage & Body Studio offered a brief chair massage in exchange for donations to Altrusa.

Food related prizes were given away by drawing throughout the lunch session. Mrs Baird’s Bakery gave away loaves of bread and prepackaged cakes for people to take home — the only vendor to do such.

At the conclusion of the gastronomical gala, participants were asked to vote for their favorites in the following categories: Favorite Taste, Sweetest Taste, Friendliest Taste, Tastiest Beverage and Tastefully Decorated (best decorated).