Ever driven by a restaurant and wondered how the food was, but didn’t want to pay full price just to get a taste?

Well, the United Cerebral Palsy center of West Alabama is giving you an opportunity to get a Taste of the Town.

The fundraiser will be held on August 16 at Shelton State Community College, located at 9500 Old Greensboro Road in Tuscaloosa.

“Restaurants from all over the county are donating food,” April Stamps, UCPWA fund development coordinator, said.

Stamps said this should be the biggest Taste since the event began 16 years ago.

Among the participating restaurants are Golden Rule Barbecue, The Flamingo Room and PJ’s Coffeehouse.

Restaurants will compete for the title as “Best of Tuscaloosa.” Judges will also decide on best appetizer, drink, and entr/e.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door for a day of all you can eat. Admission is free for children ages 6 and under.

Stamps is also heading a silent auction for the event.

“It’s going to be a big variety of things,” Stamps said.

Some items up for auction are a guitar, dinners from restaurants, Wal-mart gift certificates, monthly gym memberships, dance lessons, teeth whitening services from local dentists, and businesses could win three months of advertising on a movie screen – a prize worth $7,800 by itself.

Stamps is also asking for donations from the community.

Unopened items such as jewelry, fishing equipment and anything that is still new or packaged are welcomed. UCPWA is willing to pick up items and receipts are available for taxes if the item is over $25.

Local bands will provide entertainment for the afternoon and guests will have an opportunity to “Meet the Candidates” as mayoral and city council candidates will have a booth set up to met potential voters.

Proceeds from tickets and auction sales benefit UCP of West Alabama.

UCPWA serves Marengo, Hale, Perry, Sumter, Green, Bibb, Choctaw, Fayette, Lamar, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Marion, Winston, and Walker counties.

The centers cater to people from birth to adulthood. Services include early intervention and preschool programs, afternoon and summer programs, therapeutic services, transition services, and adult habilitation services.

“We service people with any disability,” said Stamps. “Not just those who have Cerebral Palsy.”

For ticket information and to make donations, contact the UCPWA offices at (205) 345-3031. Info can also be found at UCP.org.