The Effingham Chamber of Commerce has announced details of its 2nd Taste of Effingham scheduled for Thursday from 5-7 p.m.

Chamber Director Rick Lott said there are 20 booths signed up to provide food and beverage to the audience at the Recreation Department Gym on Highway 119 in Springfield.

Among the restaurants, caterers, and beverage providers signed up already are: Chef Nick Mueller of the Laughing Boar, the Schnitzel Shack, Kelly’s Tavern, Papa’s Pizza to Go, Back Porch BBQ, The Donut Shop, Simply Southern Catering, the Rusty Pig BBQ, Bobby’s Hometown Restaurant, Hunter’s Pride BBQ, Savannah Tech Culinary Class, Effingham Career Academy Culinary Class, The Vintage Bee, Simply Catering, the Cake Mix, the Loft Café, Mothers BBQ, Butterducks Winery, Coca Cola, Killian’s Irish, Miller Lite, and more.

Chamber President Brooke Graham said she is excited to have Chef Jean Yves Vendeville with the Savannah Tech Culinary School coming to this year’s event.

"I’m excited to see what this French master has in store for us," she said.

For one price you’ll be able to sample treats from a room full of restaurants and caterers, enjoy a glass of wine, beer, Coke or water, and enjoy Irish music while looking at the items for purchase in the silent auction. Lott said he’s been working to put a "first class" auction together and already has weekend hotel packages for Daytona Beach, St. Simon’s Island, Atlanta’s Ritz Carlton, and Savannah put together along with a Paula Deen party package, a year’s YMCA family membership, Savannah Riverboat dinner cruise for two, a Miche handbag, a free Bounce House rental, matching lamps from Wiley’s Home Center and more.

"This is one auction you won’t want to miss," said Lott.

And to lend an Irish flavor to the evening, popular Irish singer Harry O’Donoghue will perform as Plunkett’s Fancy with friends Carroll Brown on guitar and Colleen Settle on fiddle. This will be Effingham’s own St. Patrick’s celebration.

If you are interested in having a food booth for the event, sign up and start deciding what kind of items you want to present to the audience.

"We are expecting a crowd of 500 and, if last year’s first Taste was any indication, this should be another great event for Effingham County," Lott said.

Sponsors already signed up include the Effingham Herald, Effingham NOW/Savannah Morning News, Comcast Cable, GeoVista Credit Union, Ratchford and Rafter, LLC, Efacec, Savannah Technical College, DeWitt Insurance Agency, Verizon Wireless, Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Georgia Power and Savannah Coca Cola.

Tickets are $15 or two for $25 and can be obtained at the Chamber offices, at any Heritage Bank of the South Branch, GeoVista Credit Union, Teach Right, Certus Bank, the Coastal Bank, the Donut Shop, Schnitzel Shack, Simply Southern, Kelly’s Tavern, Johnson’s on 4th, the Loft, and Effingham Career Academy. Children under 6 are admitted free. For more information on participating, email ricklott@effinghamcounty.com or call the Chamber offices at 754-3301.