Organizers of last year's Taste of New Holland event seem to have found a recipe for success, raising more than $10,000 for Garden Spot Fire Rescue (GSFR). The combination of food trucks, fun for kids, live music, and prizes and giveaways proved appetizing to local residents. This year, a bingo night has been added to the menu to spice up the offerings in hopes of raising more than $15,000.

Bingo will be held on Friday, April 25, starting at 6 p.m. in the GSFR Station 1 hall, 339 E. Main St., New Holland. Advance tickets to the 10-game bingo, which are discounted, may be purchased at http://www.gsfr39.net by midnight on Thursday, April 24. Two special games will also be offered for an extra fee. Among the many prizes organizers have gathered for the event will be themed baskets, 10 Yeti cups, a hot air balloon ride courtesy of Garden Spot Village, two Weber charcoal grills donated by JB Zimmerman Ace Hardware, a bush donated by Sauder's Nursery, and a trail camera provided by Summers Trucking. "We have dozens of donations from local businesses," said organizer Danielle Landis, who noted that tickets to attractions including the Magic & Wonder Dinner Theatre and Sight & Sound Theatres, Longwood Gardens, and Hershey Gardens will be prizes.

The Taste of New Holland food truck portion of the event will be held in the GSFR parking lot on April 25 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, April 26, from noon to 7 p.m. On April 25, an intermission will be held during bingo so that players may visit the food trucks. This year, 13 trucks will take part, and each will give a percentage of sales to the fire company. Landis noted that the plan was to incorporate as many area food trucks as possible, stating, "It's where local food meets community support." Among the many food trucks lined up for the event will be Noel's Cafe selling coffee and specialty drinks; Next Level Pizza, which will sell wood-fired pizza; Nice Size Fries, which will provide fresh, hand-cut french fries; Hen House Grilling, which will sell chicken sandwiches and cheesesteaks; Skip's, which will offer chicken sandwiches, tenders, and loaded fries; Pappy's BBQ, which will offer barbecued items; and Castaneda's, which will add Mexican flavors to the mix. The New Holland Lions Club trailer will sell the hot ham sandwiches for which they are known, and Garden Spot Fire Rescue will offer oyster sandwiches and burgers, with 100% of the proceeds going back to the fire company. Dessert items will be sold by Lickity Split, Cupcakes by Casey, Mr. Mini's Tasty Donuts, and Lorah's Handmade Chocolates.

Gina and Mitch Dissinger, owners of Lickity Split, decided to add a cool competition to this year's Taste of New Holland by holding a Banana Split Eating Contest for all ages. The competition will take place on April 26 at 3 p.m. The first to finish his or her banana split will win a prize, which will be announced closer to the event. There is a fee to register for what Gina called "a fun and delicious challenge." The number of participants will be limited. Individuals who wish to take part may register at the Lickity Split ice cream truck prior to the competition.

On April 26 from 2 to 4 p.m., the Kid Zone will open. According to GSFR Captain Wes Kopp, most Zone activities will be fire-prevention related. The smoke trailer and fire house will be on-site. Fire trucks will be on display, and engine rides will be available by donation. Smokey Bear will visit the Kid Zone, as will the ELANCO Library Book Bike, and free books will be given away. "We will have face painting," noted Gina. Landis added that princess characters will also visit courtesy of Crowns and Corsets. Slushies and cotton candy will be available by donation.

Live music for the event will be provided by Dynamite Dave and the Ignitors.

Limited handicapped-accessible parking will be provided in the GSFR lot, but most attendees may park at St. Stephen Reformed Church, 249 E. Main St., New Holland. This year, a shuttle will be provided to give rides to individuals who find it difficult to walk from the church to the GSFR station. More information about the event may be found by searching for "Garden Spot Fire Rescue" on Facebook.