The 17th edition of Pony Bird’s Great Taste fundraiser will be a little different than previous ones.
This year, it will be held from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, about a month earlier than usual, and at a new location – Orlando’s South, 4300 Hoffmeister Ave., in south St. Louis County.
Kelly Feldman, Pony Bird’s events and community relations manager, said the shift in the date came about after Pony Bird merged with NextStep for Life.
“We had an overabundance of events, and we wanted to spread them out over the calendar a little more,” she said.
In addition to Great Taste, Feldman said, Pony Bird, which offers services to people with disabilities, has scheduled two other main fundraisers this year: Pony Bird’s Night at the Races event on May 3 and a golf tournament on Sept. 23.
Feldman said Pony Bird officials are anticipating a large turnout, so a location that can handle more people was deemed desirable.
“Coming out of COVID, we’ve limited ticket sales the last few years,” she said. “Before the pandemic, we were getting 500 or so people, but we’ve cut it off at 200 or 250 the last three years. We won’t have any limits this year, so we’re hoping to be up to 500 again this year.”
Participating restaurants include Frankie Gianino’s, Andre’s, Orlando’s, White Castle and the Russell House, with room for other eateries to join in.
Feldman said those who sign up should have a good time.
“It’s a tapas event, where you get to sample food from a variety of local restaurants and caterers, typically over 20. There’s an open bar, and desserts to sample as well as salads and main dishes,” she said.
This year’s theme is “Alice in Wonderland” and participants are encouraged to dress up as a character from the beloved children’s book and movie.
“The themes are always a lot of fun and people get very creative,” Feldman said. “With the theme, we’ll have a game called ‘Off With Their Head,’ that’s kind of a bingo game but with a deck of cards.”
She said there will be raffles, a live auction and a silent auction.
“And if you can’t be there, you can bid on our silent auction that will open earlier on the day of Feb. 17 on our website,” she said.
Among the items to be auctioned off is artwork made by Pony Bird clients.
The proceeds from the sale of the art, she said, will go to the Nathan Shelley Outing Fund, which provides money for Pony Bird clients to go on outings such as concerts and birthday parties with friends.
She said the fund is available for any of Pony Bird’s client list of about 1,100, not just those in residential care.
Feldman said donations of auction and raffle items are still being sought, as are additional volunteers.
Sponsorships are available and range from $500 to $10,000 (Thomas Industrial Coatings is one such sponsor).
For information on volunteering, sponsorships or donating items to the raffle and auctions, call Feldman at 636-282-4447.
“And if you can’t make it that night and would like to support us, we’ll also accept (cash) donations,” she said.
Tickets to the event cost $50 each or $400 for a table of eight; reservations can be made at taste24.givesmart.com.