"This is the most fun you'll ever have in the library - and the loudest," said Kevin Engle, describing A Taste of Western Lancaster County, which will be held at the Elizabethtown Public Library, 10 S. Market St., on Friday, April 29. "There is no 'shushing' that night." The library and the Rotary Club of Elizabethtown will host the event from 4:30 to 9 p.m.

"We'll have 20-plus vendors, featuring local restaurants, breweries, wineries and other food purveyors," noted Engle, Rotary chair for the event. "They'll be set up on all three floors of the library, and the idea is to get a taste, a sample of what they offer."

Participating vendors will include Fuego Latino, The Gathering Place, Black Gryphon, Isaac's Restaurant & Deli, McCleary's Pub, Gene Wenger's Meats & Fine Foods, Funk Brewing, Moo-Duck Brewery and Cox Brewing Company.

"We invite anybody in this region of the county to participate as a vendor," Engle explained. "It's anywhere Elizabethtown residents would go to eat, and that could be out of the county as well."

The public is invited to vote for their favorites, and prizes will be awarded based on the most votes received for best entree, best appetizer, best dessert, best beverage and best in show. The winners will receive a plaque to display at their establishment and will be recognized at a banquet on a future date.

Live music will be performed throughout the evening from Josh Leik, Don Grabowski, Selene and a quartet of students from Elizabethtown Area High School.

This is the 14th year for the event, which has grown significantly over the years, said Deb Drury, chief executive officer of the library. "The first year was very small, but the response from the community has been amazing, and it continues to be," she stated, noting that the event raises money for both the library and the Rotary Club. "This is a significant fundraiser for both (groups)."

Funds from the event will help the library with programming, including the Summer Reading Program, and will be used by the Rotary Club for a variety of community projects. Drury emphasized that the Taste would not be possible without the support of sponsors, including White Family Dental, the event's major supporter.

Engle encourages everyone to get a ticket for the Taste, where they can meet up with old friends or make new ones. "It's been called 'the Elizabethtown reunion,'" he shared, explaining that many people come to the event year after year. Still, Drury said, it's also a nice way to get to know Elizabethtown. "If you're new to town or new to this event, it's a great opportunity to meet people and get to the know the community," she remarked. "It's low-pressure."

A Taste of Western Lancaster County is open to anyone age 21 and older. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Elizabethtown Coffee Company, located within the library, or by searching for "Taste of Western Lancaster County" at http://www.eventbrite.com.