An evening of music, laughter, prizes, bidding wars and food, food, food was had by those attending Thursday night’s 2nd Annual Safe Harbor Tasters’ Dinner.

Folks lined up in the Southside Baptist Church Fellowship Hall to fill their plates with samples of nearly 30 dishes, prepared and served by community volunteers, including the Camellia Girls and Chamber Pages, Key Club members, the youth groups of FUMC and FBC, the FDA Varsity Dance Team and group sponsors.

“It’s been said it takes a village to raise a child; well, it took an army of folks to prepare for this event tonight and we appreciate all of you,” said Kathy Smyth, Safe Harbor director.

In addition to enjoying samples of dishes like Chicken Liza Jane, Broccoli Bread, Severn-Layer Salad, Red Velvet Cake and Mama’s Lemon Supreme Pound Cake (with all recipes coming from the “A Taste of Greenville” cookbook offered by Safe Harbor), attendees were entertained by the musical talents of guitarist Roness Fail and vocalist Tim Hoyle, minister of music at Southside.

David Norrell and Kyle Haynes of the Dave and Kyle Show on Q-94 returned to emcee the event.

“Come on folks, let’s open up those wallets. Remember, this is for the kids,” Haynes said the bidding began on the autographed footballs from Troy, Alabama and Auburn. The duo also got the bids going for some of the many creatively painted pumpkins decorating the room, including more Tide and Tiger designs.

James Peavy outbid his competition for both the Trojan and Tide pigskins, while Evelyn Harden took home the Tiger football (her son, Kenny Jr., won the Tide football at last year’s event).

“Sheriff Harden wants to know if anyone is going in the direction of Ridge Road . . . he doesn’t want that Auburn ball riding in the car with him,” Haynes joked.

Door prizes donated by businesses and individuals from across the tri-county area served by Safe Harbor brought smiles to many faces.

Linda Norton was clearly delighted with her Troy University car flag while her brother, Jimmy Pierce, will be eating out on Ruby Tuesday’s dime with the gift certificate he won.

Eloise Shirley shrieked with joy over her free car wash at Greenville Motor Co (“My car needs washing!”).

Attendees also got to bid on a number of decorative and gift items offered in the event’s Silent Auction.

All the proceeds from the Dinner will go to assist the children and families served by Safe Harbor (The children’s Advocacy Center) in Butler, Crenshaw and Lowndes counties.