Plans for the Mardi Gras-themed Child and Family Center’s Taste of the Town event, the Santa Clarita Valley’s premier food-focused extravaganza, are in full swing and if you don’t want to miss out on all the fun and frolic, buy your tickets now. The event will be held on Sunday, May 6 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Mann Biomedical Park in Santa Clarita. The sights and smells of specialties from more than 30 of our finest local restaurants and caterers will create the background of gourmet feasting – Big Easy style. Two thousand people are expected to attend the adult-only event where $180,000 was raised last year for the Child and Family Center in Santa Clarita. Envision vibrant colors of purple, green and gold throughout the event grounds as guests adorned with beads partake in the revelry and excitement. Stomp the Band, a New Orleans-style Dixieland Jazz Band will be strolling amongst the guests, followed by the sounds of the featured entertainment by M-Pact, which has performed at many high-profile celebrity events. There will be silent and live auctions, parades and much more. While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Taste of the Town, it is important to remember the many children and families who are helped every day by the Child and Family Center’s mental health services. Taste of the Town provides much needed funds to continue helping kids with emotional and behavioral problems. “I’ve been with the Child and Family Center for ten years and I love working with dedicated community members in the Santa Clarita Valley that volunteer their time for important causes like this one. Santa Clarita is unique that way,” says Cheryl Jones, Vice President of the Child and Family Center foundation, “The Child and Family Center changes the lives of hundreds of children and families each week by providing counseling, education and support.” With a 30-year history in the SCV, the impact of the Center is quite profound. If you’d like to support them and have a great time at a fun-filled event, purchase an all-inclusive ticket for $60. For an additional $40, VIP tickets can be purchased which include all of the Taste of the Town amenities, plus reserved seating. Be sure to purchase a raffle ticket for a seven day/six-night vacation to Maui, sponsored by Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Classic Custom Vacations. Only 100 tickets at $100 each will be sold. The winning ticket will be drawn at the event. Once again Classic Designs is sponsoring their famous Diamond Drop. 100 glasses of champagne will be sold at $20 per glass. A cubic zirconium will be in the bottom of all but one glass, which will have a diamond. Valencia Acura is the title sponsor. Sponsorships are still available and will include reserved seating, VIP parking, special amenities in the sponsor pavilion and media recognition. Mann Biomedical Park is located at 25104 Rye Canyon Loop in Santa Clarita. From McBean Parkway and Newhall Ranch Road, proceed northwest on Newhall Ranch Road. Turn right at the end of the road and then left at Kelly Johnson Parkway. The park is located at the end of the road. Parking will be at various lots near the entrance to the park and shuttle busses will take guests to the event. On our cover this month are representatives from various participating restaurants at the Taste of the Town Mardi Gras event, including Kim Piwowarczyk, Angel Delos Reyes, Nanci Olmos, Martha Shickley, Avery Roemer, Mike Beurer, Laina McFerren, Denise Buckingham, Rosie DiPrima, Sheri Stulbaum, Lalo Montanez, Brandhen Snyder, Jennifer Chadwick, James Larson, Tina Landrum, Peter Oh, Jill Cox, Shari Frazier, Lillian Lepore, Peter Goosens, event co-chairs, Janice Hoskinson, Diana Cusumano, title sponsor, Cheri Fleming, Valencia Acura, Cheryl Jones and Lois Bauccio from the Child and Family Center. For more information please call Child and Family Center at 661-255-6847 or visit our website at www.tasteofthetown.com . At the time of going to print, participating restaurants include:Abbey Lane CaféAn Affaire ExtraordinaireAngel’s Wings CaféCalifornia Pasta ProductionsChan Daretta ThaiChipotleClarice’s Cake & Candy SuppliesDream DinnersFreshers Soft Frozen LemonadeIt’s a Grind Coffee HouseJasmine Thai BBQJill’s Cake CreationsKarma Indian CuisineLA Trends CateringLeona Valley WineryLoose GooseMimi’s CaféMojitosPhilly’s BestPita PitRavensoakRoast HouseRocky Mountain ChocolateRoly PolyRSVP The Catering CompanySalt Creek GrilleSouth Pointe Argentine GrillSpumoniThe SocialThe VinesTrader Joe’sVino 100Whole FoodsWolf CreekXA Vietnamese Kitchen.