The date is set for an annual tradition that allows residents to get a taste of Carter County and the Chamber of Commerce is looking for local restaurants wanting to showcase some of their best dishes.

Each year the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce hosts the “Taste of Carter County” event featuring local restaurants. The Taste serves as a way to showcase the variety of excellent food available locally while helping to raise funds for a local non-profit agency.

This year, the Taste of Carter County will be held on Thursday, Oct. 11, at Elizabethton High School in the Commons Area.

The Chamber is currently reaching out to local restaurants and inviting them to be a part of this year’s event, according to Chamber Director Tonya Stevens. The Chamber hopes to have between 15 and 20 restaurants participating in the 2018 Taste of Carter County.

Last year, the event drew a crowd of around 250 who got the opportunity to sample fare from a dozen different restaurants.

Stevens said any restaurants interested in taking part in the Taste of Carter County can contact the Chamber of Commerce to receive more information.

Local non-profit organizations are invited to apply to the Chamber to receive the proceeds from the Taste of Carter County event, and a select committee reviews the applications and selects the recipient each year. This year, the committee chose East Tennessee Christian Home and Academy as the recipient.

ETCHA was founded in 1946 after Preacher Fred Smith of First Christian Church in Elizabethton witnessed a local judge placing children in jail because they did not have a family to provide for them. Smith and a leadership board of 14 members opened ETCHA, and over the past 70 years the ministry has seen many changes. But, the mission has remained the same — East Tennessee Christian Home and Academy is dedicated to “Growing Girls God’s Way.” According to the organization’s website, ETCHA offers hope by giving a safe home with kindhearted, Christian house parents and staff; through nationally recognized biblically-based academics; and through learning about what Christ can bring to life. ETCHA receives no state funding and depends on gifts from generous donors to make the ministry successful.

Tickets are not yet on sale for the event as some details are still being finalized according to Stevens. More information about the event will be released as the date draws nearer.

For more information, contact the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce at 423-547-3850.