Taste of the Valley Canceled for 2023
lack of funding and scheduling cancels this year’s event, may return in 2024
When it comes to the annual Taste of the Valley, the kitchen is closed – or at least it will be for the summer of 2023. The Chippewa Valley After Hours Rotary Club announced recently that its Taste of the Valley fundraiser won’t be held this year.
While Taste of the Valley did see success last summer – with the event returning in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 – a recent press release said a lack of funding and planning resulting in the event’s cancellation for 2023.
Taste of the Valley is a foodie and community-wide favorite, known for bringing multiple food trucks together for the free event and featuring family-friendly fun with activities like inflatable rides, live music, plus a beer garden for adults. The 2022 event featured about a dozen food options such as Holy Donuts, Dhimiters, Tasty Trolley, Jay Ray’s, and more.
“After a two-year hiatus, TOTV returned to Phoenix Park in June 2022. Proceeds from the event each year go toward the mission of the Chippewa Valley After Hours Rotary Club, to eradicate hunger in the Chippewa Valley,” the announcement said. “The event will not return in 2023 due to both planning and sponsorship resources unable to support the event.”
Read the rest of the press release here:
"Club members are shifting their focus throughout the rest of 2023 to obtain sponsors for their annual Thanksgiving Dinner Drive. The event takes place each year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Club members shop for food, pack meals, and distribute to local families in need of a Holiday meal. Last year’s event provided meals for over 60 families, reaching more than 300 community members.
The club will continue to evaluate whether hosting Taste of the Valley in 2024 is feasible.
Rotary is a service organization made up of more than 1.2 million individuals united worldwide to provide humanitarian aid and help build goodwill in the world. While the global mission of all Rotarians is to fight to end polio, the purpose of the Chippewa Valley After Hours Rotary Club is to eradicate hunger in the Chippewa Valley through volunteer and fundraising efforts. The club meets once per month, on the first Tuesday at Lazy Monk Brewing in Eau Claire at 7:00 p.m. In addition to meetings, the club participates in 1-2 service events per month and holds a monthly social amongst members and potential members. To obtain further information on club sponsorships and service projects, please visit www.cvafterhours.com."
