On June 10, the annual West Columbia Beautification Foundation Taste on the River was held, bringing the community together to celebrate the city's culinary scene and raising $37,610.

“The 9th Annual Taste on the River was a tremendous success, and I am so grateful to everyone who contributed, participated, and helped make it happen,” said Kathy Whetzel, chairperson of the West Columbia Beautification Foundation. “From our incredible local restaurants and sponsors to the guests who showed up in support of our mission, the community truly came together. The proceeds from this event will directly support beautification projects that enhance the quality of life in West Columbia, and we couldn’t do it without this kind of amazing support.”

Participating restaurants included Black Rooster; Blue Marlin; The Dragon Room; Di Vino Rosso; The Hollow; Hite’s BBQ; Cafe Strudel; The Cake House; Brickhouse Gourmet Coffee & Tea; Nick’s House of Pizza; Always Original Bakery; Brookland Banquet & Conference Center; Signature Catering; and Fresh Poke. 

Platinum sponsors were By Design, Something Borrowed and Carolina Tap & Bore. 

Gold sponsors for the event were Irmo Arbor Day; House of Raeford; Whetzel’s Automotive; Mooneyhan’s Automotive; Stone River; O.B. One Communications; Midlands Media Group; Brookland Commons; Safety for Sarah Foundation; Wetco Rooter; Beckett Financial Group; West Point Coins; Cable & Connections; The Rast McFadden Group; and BuWa Digital.

For more information about the West Columbia Beautification Foundation, visit www.beautifywestcolumbia.org or contact Justin Wise at jwise@westcolumbiasc.org.

From the release: “The West Columbia Beautification Foundation is dedicated to transforming West Columbia into an impressive and attractive place to live, work, or visit by engaging the entire community in positive beautification efforts. In 2007, local community leaders, elected officials, and city staff collaborated to establish the West Columbia Beautification Foundation. 

“The West Columbia Beautification Foundation partners with the City to beautify both public and private areas through landscaping. The Foundation solicits individual and corporate sponsorships to support the city in securing funds for beautification projects along West Columbia's major thoroughfares, expanding the tree canopy, and developing green spaces. The Foundation is a non-profit corporation registered under the South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.”