Calling all “foodies.” The Taste of the Valley is coming back to Ingalls Harbor in Decatur March 16 from 6-8 p.m.  

Presented by the Volunteer Center of Morgan County and Bank Independent, the event will feature area restaurants and vendors from across the Tennessee Valley.  

Quay Lively, who serves as special events and fundraising coordinator for Morgan County Volunteer Center, said Taste of the Valley offers something for the whole family. The event, which is in its 33rd year, is the organization’s biggest annual event and raised more than $14,000 last year.  

Funds raised benefit the variety of programs the Morgan County Volunteer Center offers, including providing heating and cooling units for the elderly, building wheelchair ramps, helping local children and teens at Christmas and more. 

Lively added the venue is perfect for the event, saying the vendors and crowd of more than 300 had the previous venue “busting at the seams.” Live music, competition and local eats and drinks are in store this year. 

“We have some pretty interesting people who will be there this year,” Lively said. “Sister Schubert and Betty Sims, two people who are famous in the food world, are two of our celebrity judges, and we’re currently working on some other celebrity judges … This year we are also doing a St. Patrick’s Day theme. It’s not mandatory, but we will give out an award for the best booth decorated in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.”  

In addition, a People’s Choice award will be presented, and the judges will judge vendors on taste alone in several categories, including dessert, appetizers, side items and entrees.  

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Volunteer Center of Morgan County, Jimmy Smith Jewelers, The Freight House and the Railyard.  

For more information, call 256-355-8628.