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Taste of Palm Harbor Canceled

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: January 27, 2009

PALM HARBOR - The 12th edition of the Taste of Palm Harbor has fallen victim to the unsettled economic climate.

The 2009 edition of the food festival showcasing area restaurants has been canceled, according to the Palm Harbor Junior Women's Club, the event's organizer. This year's Taste of Palm Harbor was slated for Sunday, Feb. 22.

Calls to the Taste of Palm Harbor information line Tuesday were greeted with the news of the cancellation of the 2009 event. "We are sorry we have to cancel this event," a message on the information line declared.

Since 1996 the Junior Women's Club had used the net proceeds from the food festival in the Old Palm Harbor historic district to fund grants to local nonprofit groups.

For 2009 the organizers moved the Taste of Palm Harbor from its traditional time, in October, to late February. Many of the participating restaurants wanted the cooler weather and the organizers were seeking a time when there would be winter visitors in the area and no competition from football in October.

In an e-mail sent Tuesday in response to a request for comment, the chairwoman of the Taste of Palm Harbor, Chaz Foy, wrote, "Taste of Palm Harbor committee members cite the current economic downturn as the main reason for the cancellation."

She added: "The continued financial challenges that face the area's local restaurants, businesses, corporate sponsors and the rising costs of staging an event of this magnitude have all contributed to the unfortunate cancellation. The Taste of Palm Harbor committee hopes to reschedule the event in the near future in hopes of a turnaround in the economy."

In the meantime, the Palm Harbor Junior Women's Club hopes it can continue to financially support local charitable groups, despite the loss of the Taste of Palm Harbor revenue, Foy noted.

Amanda Sklar, Junior Women's Club president and owner of Chocolate Studios, in Ozona, said, "The committee really worked very hard to put on the event, but in the end they did not receive enough response from restaurants willing to participate."

Sklar said she hopes the Taste of Palm Harbor will someday be able to return.

Robin Husbands-Cauchi, executive director of the Old Palm Harbor Main Street downtown booster group, expressed regret over the cancellation of the Taste of Palm Harbor.

"So many people look forward to the Taste every year," Husbands-Cauchi said, adding she hopes it will return.

Husbands-Cauchi said she had heard the Taste of Palm Harbor committee was having a tough time attracting restaurants willing to participate during the current economic slowdown.

Old Palm Harbor Main Street partnered with the Junior Women's Club in 2008 to present the Taste of Palm Harbor but other commitments kept it from doing so this year, Husbands-Cauchi said.

People who enjoy downtown Palm Harbor festivals must now wait until Saturday, March 14, when Peggy O'Neill's Irish Pub will present its St. Patrick's Day Festival.

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