Habitat for Humanity’s first “Barton County’s Got Flavor” event will be held Saturday, Feb. 14, catering to those who want a unique Valentine’s Day experience.
The new fundraiser will feature a food and beverage pairing competition followed by a professional improv comedy show. Guests will serve as judges for the tasting competition, sampling nine different pairings of food and drink. Tasting stations will be split between the Legends Gallery above the Rosewood Wine Cellar, 1901 Lakin Ave., and the lobby of the Crest Theater next door, 1905 Lakin, from 6-7:30 p.m. Once they have cast their vote for the best pairing, they will make their way into the theater for a comedy show at 8 p.m. that will surely have them rolling in the aisles, said Rachel Mawhirter, fundraising volunteer for Habitat.
“We are excited to bring a professional comedy duo known as The Foolish Toms to Great Bend for this Valentine’s Day event,” Mawhirter said. “If you enjoyed the television show ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’ then you’ll love this hilarious improv comedy show.”
This week, Habitat announced the teams who will be competing for the title of “Barton County’s Got Flavor Champion.” Volunteer teams providing tasting stations include:
• Colleen and Jerry Renk, Ruth Bealer and John Makings, serving a Brie & Cranberry Bite with Red Nose Punch
• Smokin Vets – Nels Lindberg, Matt Fehr and Ty Brunswig, serving Marinated Beef Tri Tips with Red Wine or Crown & Coke
• Kim and Craig Vink, serving Pickled Shrimp & Dressed Puffs with White Wine
• Abbey Riegel and Eric Swenson, serving Tomato Basil Soup & Mac ‘n Cheese Grilled Cheese
• Shantel Pangburn, serving Homemade Dessert Samples
• Shannon Smith and Trevor Sanders, serving Chicken ‘n Sausage Jambalaya with Riesling
There will also be a handful of non-competing tasting stations provided by local businesses, including Johnsons Smokehouse BBQ, Dillons and Rosewood Wine Cellar.
Proceeds from the event will be used to fund Habitat for Humanity rehabilitation and Brushed with Kindness projects in Barton County in the coming months.
“We are actively working on securing our next rehab project that will be started in the spring of 2015,” said Kim Vink, Habitat board member. “Once we purchase a home, we will find a family in need who qualifies to purchase it through a zero-interest loan and then begin working side-by-side to help them put in enough sweat equity hours on the project.”
Tickets are now available for $60 per couple, which includes the tasting competition and the comedy show. The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, 1125 Williams St., is serving as the box office for advance ticket purchases. Tickets may also be purchased for the comedy show at the door for $15 per person.
For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Mawhirter at 620-786-4896 or email habitatbartoncounty@hotmail.com.