Downtown LaGrange saw the second annual Taste of the Town event take place on Saturday. The event, which was fortunate to have better weather than the previous weekend’s St. Paddy’s Day celebration, featured live music, a large host of food vendors and open spaces to mix and mingle. To the untrained or common eye, the afternoon and evening had the feel of an event that has been taking place for a decade or more, as it went off without a hitch and drew in thousands of people. For all intents and purposes, however, the event is still in its infancy, making the success it has achieved in short order all the more impressive.

The Junior Service League of LaGrange tasks new members each year with executing a project to benefit the community. The new members in 2018, a group of approximately 10, set out to create an event that would bring the community together and provide for an opportunity to raise money for a local nonprofit organization. The idea for the Taste of the Town event was born, and with help from the Downtown Development Authority, the inaugural event was carried out last year to much success. The Junior Service League followed up the first act with another successful event in year two.

The response from community members and individuals enjoying the event on Saturday was similar. Everyone was pleased the event was taking place, lamented the fact events such as that had not happened in years past and hoped for more of the same to come in the future.

Saturday was a testament to the idea that with the right idea, and the hard work and execution to match, opportunities for LaGrange and Troup County to thrive will only continue to grow.