taste of the south

This past weekend, we were able to attend an event we had heard about it since Richard moved to DC. Taste of the South is an annual black-tie gala held downtown, and we were thrilled to finally be able to go! I love the history of the event...here's the description from the TOTS website:

Taste of the South was founded in October 1982 by a group of transplanted southerners living in Washington, DC. Longing for home and wanting to share the rich traditions they had come to love, the group decided to host a party where they could share with fellow DC residents their love for all things southern. The following April the first Taste of the South gala featuring twelve states- Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia- was held at the Pension Building under the direction of Chairman Charlie Grizzle. Tickets sold for $15, and when it came time to open the doors, guests were lined up around the block. When it was over, they donated the proceeds raised by the event to a southern based charity.

Now the event is held at DAR Constitution Hall and tickets are a little more expensive, but a huge amount of money is raised for both the TOTS-selected charity and now also state-selected charities. And the food...the food! We tried gator bites and jambalaya from Louisiana, a sweet potato cupcake from Mississippi, a jalapeno and cheddar grit cake from Arkansas and plenty of BBQ from all over. There was a great band that played, but poor Richard was so tired that we didn't stay too late to hear them.

The crowd was honestly a little younger (and probably rowdier) that me and Richard, but we had a great time and would love to go again. Such a fun night!

one of the best parts of the night was seeing all my friends on the Hill looking fancy- with Lauren from Congressman Duncan's office

Richard in his Jolly Roger bowtie and cummerbund, trying the sweet potato cupcake, his favorite treat of the night

the scene at the Georgia booth- all about the Masters

Richard and I posing in front of the Texas booth

a shot of the crowd and the South Carolina, Missouri and Florida booths 

a closer-up shot of Florida, definitely the most colorful

in front of the South Carolina porch

with fellow South Carolinian, Marian, who had on a gorgeous long gown

miss seeing pretty Anna on a daily basis

Anna making fun of Richard's pirates