The vibrant sights, sounds and tastes of New Orleans will come alive at the 5th Annual Taste of Linsly on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in Banes Hall on Linsly’s campus, sponsored by Dlesk Kitchens and Flooring.
Offering delicious food and wine from a variety of local restaurants and caterers, as well as an amazing list of silent and live auction items and raffle prizes, the Taste of Linsly has become one of the school’s premier fundraising and social events not to be missed.
This year’s Mardi Gras themed evening will feature elegant cuisine from several new vendors to the event, including As You Like It Catering by Bob Bailey and the Metropolitan Citi Grill. Returning again to the Taste of Linsly is the very popular Vagabond Chef, Matt Welsch, as well as local restaurant Silver Chopsticks, Just Heavenly Bakery, Aladdin Food Service, Centre Market Bakery, and 19 Coffee Company. Also joining the evening are Chicco Baccello Bakery of Washington, Pa., and Main Street Cafe of Claysville, Pa. Guests will enjoy a selection of wine from Good Mansion Wines and craft beer from Wheeling Brewing Company. Wheeling photographer and Linsly alum, Bennett McKinley, will take pictures during the event.
According to Mrs. Aimee Zimmerman, head of the Taste of Linsly planning committee, one of the most exciting new features this year is the Grand Prize Raffle to win a trip for two to Las Vegas.
“We are very excited to announce we are offering a trip to Las Vegas as the Grand Prize Raffle. Spend Halloween weekend 2016 in Las Vegas, rated the best Halloween experience in the United States,” said Zimmerman. “This prize package is truly unique, as it includes VIP experiences and hospitality access to events and venues in Vegas that are very exclusive.”
The grand prize package will include round-trip airfare for two, accommodations at a premium Vegas hotel, tickets to the NHRA Toyota Nationals, along with VIP Hospitality access to the Kalitta Motorsports and Patron Hospitality areas and VIP access to the Halloween Party at Ghost Bar.
Grand Prize Raffle tickets are $10 each, six for $50 and 15 for $100 and can be purchased at the school before the event and will also be on sale during the event. Grand Prize Raffle tickets can be purchased online at www.linsly.org/tol.
In addition to the Grand Prize, Zimmerman went on to explain that the live and silent auctions and Chinese Raffle will feature something for every guest’s budget.
“Our live auction will feature great items, such as a Disney vacation, a vacation home in Hilton Head, golf at the exclusive Congressional Country Club (championship course), and a weekend getaway at Nemacolin. The Chinese Raffle, where tickets start at $5, also has fabulous prizes, such as a Yeti Cooler, a Kate Spade handbag, and a case of wine. We have something at the Taste of Linsly for every budget.”
The Walt Disney World Vacation is the most recent addition to the live auction, and includes airfare for four to Orlando and a four-night stay at a Delux Disney World Hotel.
Linsly Headmaster Justin Zimmerman explained that he is particularly excited about how this event brings the Linsly community together, and it also connects the school to the greater Wheeling community by inviting local food and wine vendors to participate.
“The Taste of Linsly event is a great opportunity not only to bring our parents, trustees, and members of the Linsly community together, but also for Linsly to showcase some of the local businesses that have been instrumental in revitalizing the Wheeling community. We are proud to have these local businesses as our event sponsors, many of which are owned and operated by Linsly parents or alumni,” said Zimmerman.
This year, all proceeds from the event will benefit Linsly’s locker room renovations in the Stifel Field House.
“The Taste of Linsly will benefit renovations that are ongoing in the Stifel Field House, especially to the locker rooms,” explained Zimmerman. “Whether students are practicing for an athletic contest or extravaganza, or just participating in gym class, every student in our school, from our youngest fifth grader to our oldest senior, will use the locker room area in the Stifel Field House at some point in his or her Linsly career. The Stifel Field House is also where we host many guests from away athletic teams. We want to provide a top-notch facility for our students and to put our best foot forward when we have guests on our campus. We are excited that this fantastic event will benefit such a worthy cause that truly impacts all our students.”
Tickets purchased in advance are $50 per person or $65 at the door. Sponsorship opportunities for businesses are also available for this event. For more information about Taste of Linsly, to donate an auction or raffle item, or to register online, go to www.linsly.org/tol.