New direction for this year's 'Taste'

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The 26th annual Taste of Clarendon has a new name and a new feel this year.

 

Now just dubbed “The Taste at Weldon,” the event – which starts 2 p.m. Saturday – will still feature all the good food that participants have come to expect, according to Weldon Auditorium events coordinator Ansley DuRant.

 

“I think the main difference this year is that we’ve added the live entertainment,” DuRant said. “We will have three bands. The other discernible difference is that it will all be outside. This will be my first time attending, but in the past, I believe there were tables inside and outside.”

 

DuRant said the event – organized by the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, the Taste at Weldon Committee and Weldon Auditorium – came about after a late Easter holiday moved other events around.

 

“With having to move Striped Bass to earlier in April, the Chamber came up with only one weekend it could do The Taste,” DuRant said. “It just happened to be the same exact weekend that I had planned for Weldon’s final season performance.”

   

“The bands will play on the steps, and all of the tables will be in the parking lot,” DuRant said. “Parking will be beside the Community Center (old high school gymnasium) and behind the Presbyterian Church (at Manning).”

 

“It’s kind of flip-flopped from how the setting used to be,” DuRant said.

 

The other bands performing Saturday include the Blue Plantation Band and Gracious Day.

 

“I think The Blue Dogs are something a bit different from what Manning is used to, but I think people will enjoy them,” DuRant said. “They’re a great local, South Carolina band. They’re kind of bluesy, kind of rock-and-roll, kind of country. They have a good outdoor feel.”

   

DuRant said no coolers will be allowed, but food and drinks will be available on-site, included in the ticket price.

 

“Tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the event,” DuRant said. “This is a fundraiser for both the chamber and Weldon.”

 

She said participants are encouraged to bring chairs.

 

For more information, call (803) 435-4405 or (803) 433-SHOW.