Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
The inaugural Taste of Prattville drew a sold-out crowd Saturday evening, bringing more than 250 residents together to celebrate local flavor while supporting the arts in the community.
The event was hosted by the Prattville Arts Council, which highlighted the city’s growing arts scene and raised funds to expand programming for residents of all ages.Local restaurants contributed a variety of creative hors d’oeuvres, helping create an atmospherecentered on connection, creativity and community pride.
Proceeds from the event and its silent auction will support children’s programs,community classes andthe development of a future arts scholarship for a local student.Organizers said the evening also served to increased awareness of the city’s culturalofferings, including Way Off Broadway Theatre, Prattville Community Chorus, the PrattaugaArt Guild andthe Prattville Pops Band, all managed by the city’s Cultural Arts Department.
“We are truly overwhelmed by the support surrounding the Prattville Arts Council’sinaugural Taste of Prattville Soiree,”said Taylor Rucker, special events and programspecialist.“Our local restaurants did an amazing job providing creative hors d’oeuvres.This special evening not only brought together familiar faces from past honoree dinnersand our local arts community but also introduced us to so many new friends.”
Rucker said the event created an opportunity to connect with residents who may not haverealized the range of creative opportunities available in Prattville.
“It was a great way to connect with individuals who may not have realized the wide range ofcreative opportunities available for all ages here in Prattville,”she said.“We are so gratefulto everyone who made this night such a success and for the continued growth of the artscommunity in Prattville.”
The evening also offered attendees a chance to network, learn about upcoming events and explore opportunities such as summer arts camps, reinforcing the close-knit nature of the local arts community
“Taste of Prattville is a first for the Prattville Arts Council. We are so excited to be the hostfor this event,”said Mynecia Steel, cultural arts manager.“All proceeds from tonight wentto support art programming that the council and the city host, including children’s art andtheater camps, workshops, classes, chorus and band concerts throughout the year.”
City leaders praised the event as a reflection of Prattville’s community spirit.
“It is always a good night in our city when you can smell food, hear music, and see ourcommunity coming together, and tonight is no exception,”Mayor Bill Gillespie said.“Prattville,this is what it means to be Partners of Prattville, working together, supportingone another, and building something special.”
Organizers said they hope to make Taste of Prattville an annual tradition.
“Selling out was amazing,”Rucker said.“We cannot wait to see how much was raised to support the arts as we look ahead to making Taste of Prattville even better next year.”
With strong turnout and enthusiastic community support, the event underscored the role of the arts in bringing Prattville residents together while investing in future opportunities for local talent
