Over 40 booths to whet appetites at Taste of Town

Two Brothers Pizza served up about 400 slices of pizza at last year's Taste of the Town event, but the real crust of the matter is that the event is about more than the food.

"It's for a good cause," said Aaron L. McNitt, who operates Two Brothers shops in Adams and Watertown with brothers Jarod M. and Jamie P. and Jamie's wife, Sara B. McNitt. "People are donating to that good cause and they get something in return."

The sixth annual Taste of the Town to benefit the Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County Inc. will be Saturday at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown.

Previous Taste of the Town events raised about $10,000 each year, said Victims Assistance Center director Elaina F. Marra.

"We try to make it a family affair because we want to raise money to help adult and child victims of violence," Ms. Marra said.

More than 1,000 people attended last year's event. After paying an admission fee, people can purchase bundles of tickets allowing them to sample food offerings.

Mr. McNitt said that for his business, it allowed a great chance for customer feedback and was a good way to tweak his menu.

This year will feature more than 40 booths represented by restaurants and establishments from Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The sample-sized food varieties will include ethnic, barbecue and gourmet entrées and desserts.

The event also will include entertainment by a magician and musical performances. Ms. Marra said Best Buy will host a "Guitar Hero" booth, featuring a big-screen television for that popular video game.

There also will be a table set up so young children can create Mother's Day craft items.