“Taste on the River” has become one of West Columbia most-anticipated events.

The 3rd Taste on the River will be from 6 to 9 pm, Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Stone River beside the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater.

“We expect a large crowd,” said Bill Mooneyhan, who helped create the event as a fundraiser for the West Columbia Beautification Foundation. “It gets better every year, and we think this one will be outstanding.”

“Taste” features top West Columbia, Columbia, Vista, and Vista West restaurants showcasing their cuisine. It includes a tour of multiple tasting stations throughout the building. There is also a silent auction for thrills and deals.

“It’s a great evening,” said Melissa Sprouse-Browne, chairwoman of the West Columbia Beautification Foundation. “It will be a wonderful event.”

She said the silent auction this year will feature a wine tree with 50 bottles of wine. The winner of the wine tree will take home all of the wine and the apparatus holding it.

Steve Cohen, a member of the WCBC who helped found Taste, said he is pleased with its evolution.

“It has become a significant event in just 3 years,” he said, as important as the Cayce-West Columbia Chamber’s annual gala, the Tribute to Trees and the Gervais Street Bridge Dinner.

Cohen said the proceeds this year will go to a different area of the city.

“We are using the funds along the US 1 corridor,” he said Cohen. “It’s a good way to focus on the beautification of that area.”

Past money raised has gone to plant trees along the US 378-Sunset Boulevard corridor.

“We are targeting 3 areas of US 1, in the city limits this year,” said Cohen.

Sprouse-Browne said Columbia chef and restaurateur Kristian Niemi will participate this year. Niemi has announced plans to open Black Rooster on top of the Brookland development, in West Columbia.

In addition to Black Rooster, Sprouse-Browne said the line-up of restaurants has expanded.

Restaurants to sample are: @116 Espresso and Wine Bar; Black Rooster; The Blended Bakery; Brookland Baptist Church and Conference Center; Cafe Strudel West Columbia; DeLucca’s Italian Grill; Grecian Gardens Restaurant; Little Pigs BBQ Buffet; La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant; Parkland Cakes; Primal Gourmet; Zesto of West Columbia

Tickets are $50 and include 2 drink vouchers.

Call 803-791-1880 x 616 for tickets.