By Paul Thompson
Northeast News

The Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s International Taste and Tour event will be back with an island flavor on Saturday, September 8 at the Don Bosco Community Center (580 Campbell St.).

The annual event serves up delicacies from around the world, features the work of local artisans at its outdoor International Marketplace Bazaar, highlights traditional songs and dancing from international locales, and includes a trolley bus tour of some of the Historic Northeast’s marquee locales.

Vendors invited to participate in the event will serve cuisine from South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and island foods created to embody the theme of the evening.

“We’re working with an island theme, celebrating the many islands around the world,” said Bobbi Baker-Hughes, President of the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “There will be a special island-style coconut drink, and tasty hors d’oeuvres.”

As usual, the International Taste and Tour will include a silent auction, with items up for sale including tickets to various upcoming events, artwork produced by local talent, a weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks, and much more. The event will even be enlisting some professional help to step in and run the silent auction this year.

“Jerry James, the owner of Snyder’s, is an auctioneer,” Baker-Hughes said. “He is going to be doing the live auction for us.”

A new feature at this year’s International Taste and Tour will be a video that is currently being produced with the help of local drone expert Mike Raymond. The video will be showcased during the event, and Raymond will also be on hand with a virtual reality headset to give attendees a true feeling of the Historic Northeast community.

“We have identified 27 murals in the Northeast,” Baker-Hughes said. “What we’re going to put together is a three-minute commercial of the Northeast that will focus on our murals. In addition to our trolley tour, we’ll have a virtual reality tour highlighting the murals located in the Northeast, and other drop-dead beautiful views.”

The International Taste and Tour will be held on September 8, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. A patron’s party for event sponsors will be held from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m., with some special entertainment. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber’s website, nekcchamber.com, and special sponsorships are still available – complete with early access to the event – for those who would like to provide a table of six for their group or organization.

Proceeds from the annual event will support local businesses through the Chamber of Commerce’s EGG Business Incubator.