Passports for the Taste of the Islands, to benefit the Clinic for Rehabiliation of Wildflife (C.R.O.W.), are now available on and off Sanibel island. They can also be purchased online for pickup at a designated “Will Call” location.
In lieu of an admission to the event, participants can purchase a “Taste Passport” with a listing and map of participating restaurants along with the selection of items offered by each restaurant. Restaurants will stamp or punch the passport so patrons can track their progress. Only passport holders are eligible to vote for their favorite restaurant to win the coveted ‘People’s Choice Award’. Turn-in your ballot and you will also be entered into a drawing for fabulous prizes including vacation stays, jewelry, gift certificates and more.
“Look at this Taste as a marathon not a sprint,” says Alison Charney Hussey, executive director for CROW. “I challenge our supporters to meet me over a menu and visit every restaurant during the month just as I intend to do. It may take 30 days to visit all 30 restaurants but I believe it can be done!”
Passports are now available for purchase at CROW’s Visitor Education Center, all Bank of the Islands and Edison National Bank locations, Bailey’s General Store locations, and Huxter’s Market & Deli. Diners can also purchase their passport at any of the participating restaurants throughout November or purchase them online at www.CROWClinic.org for pick up at the Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce or CROW’s Visitor Education Center.
The 39th Taste of the Islands kicks off on November 1. Each participating restaurant will be offering their “Taste” items to showcase their cuisine throughout the month of November. A portion of the proceeds from those designated food and beverage “Tastes” sold will be donated to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). “Taste” items are available to diners to enjoy in person or be ordered for take-out to be enjoyed at home.
“The health and safety of our community is a top priority,” says Hussey. “We are excited to be able to encourage diners to come to the islands and visit the restaurants, but also encourage carry-out options for those who want to support the event while social distancing to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.”
For hungry patrons visiting the restaurants, every Sunday from noon until 4 p.m., a ‘CROW CRAWL’ will feature restaurants in different areas of the islands. CROW’s Animal Ambassadors will be in the CROW tent in front of one of the restaurants, with Taste of the Islands sponsors featured outside other restaurants in the region. Although each restaurant is featured on one Sunday, diners can visit all of the restaurants and order their menu items at any time in November.
The first CROW CRAWL on November 1 will feature restaurants on Captiva including the Crow’s Nest, Old Captiva House, Lazy Flamingo, Sunset Grill, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, The Green Flash and the Mucky Duck. A complete list of restaurants and each Sunday’s CROW CRAWL is on CROW’s website.
Bank of the Islands/Edison National Bank has returned as the Presenting Sponsor. This is the eleventh year in a row that the bank has led the sponsorship for CROW’s signature fundraiser. Event sponsors also include FOX 4 as Lead Media Sponsor, The Silverman Organization and VCA Sanibel Animal Hospital as Executive Chef Sponsors, Jensen’s Marina & Cottages, The Inns of Sanibel, Rapid Response Team of Fort Myers and Royal Shell as Sous Chef Sponsors, and News-Press/LocalIQ, Happenings Magazine, Island Sun & River Weekly Newspapers, The Sanibel Islander/Island Reporter, and Santiva Chronicle as Supporting Media Sponsors.
Get more information HERE.