A large gathering of Pike County people took advantage of the opportunity to get a wide and varied “Taste of Pike County” Tuesday afternoon.

The Pike County United Way board kicked off its 2016 fundraising campaign at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama with 16 of the board’s 18 agencies participating with informational booths, freebies and opportunities to win great door prizes.

Melinda Conner, Pike County United Way director, said “Taste of Pike County” was an opportunity to for United Way agencies, businesses and organizations to showcase the products and services they offer and to network as well.

“The ‘Taste of Pike County’ was also a fundraiser for the Pike County United Way and we appreciate all of those who participated as vendors, all of the entertainers who came out and made this a very special event and everyone who came in support of the United Way and the 18 agencies it serves and, of course, the Pioneer Museum of Alabama for hosting the fundraising event.”

Conner said “Taste of Pike County” was the board’s first fundraiser of the 2016 campaign and the next fundraiser will be the sale of the Pike County United Way Cookbook.

“The cookbook contains recipes from all of the agencies that we serve and recipes from the mayors of Troy, Brundidge, Goshen and Banks. It’s a great cookbook and should be very popular.”

Conner said payroll deduction is the Pike County United Way’s largest source of funding and encouraged business that are not yet participating to strongly consider it.

“By supporting the Pike County United Way, businesses and their employees are supporting local agencies that help friends and neighbors.

Conner can be reached by phone at 334-566-0011 or at the United Way office at the Colley Senior Complex Pottery House on Elm Street.

Kari Barley, Pioneer Museum of Alabama director, said it was an honor to host the “Taste of Pike County.”

“It was a wonderful opportunity for people to visit the museum again or for the first time,” Barley said. “We are extremely proud of the museum and of the educational opportunities it offers to the people of our community and far beyond. We are a hands-on history museum and offer programs for adults and children throughout the year.”

For Eunice Rios of “Feathers of Love,” the “Taste of Pike County” was an opportunity to further introduce her new Troy business to the people all around the county.

“It was great to have a place where we could come and tell people what ‘Feathers of Love’ is all about and what we have to offer,” Rios said. “There are not many opportunities like this and we appreciate being able to showcase our business at an event like this.”

Melissa Boatner, Whaley Pecans, said the “Taste of Pike County” was also an opportunity to introduce new products to the community.

“Whaley’s has products that many people don’t know about,” she said. “We have roasted pecan syrup, butter pecan syrup, peach and blueberry pecan preserves, gourmet salts and all natural soaps. We have pecans and a whole lot more.”

And, it was more than Emily Roling was hoping to attract at the Pike County 4-H booth.

“We have a lot of 4-H’ers and a lot of interest but we need more volunteers,” she said.

“The ‘Taste of Pike County’ is an opportunity to show the people of Pike County more of what we do and hopefully get more adults involved.”

Entertainment for the “Taste of Pike County” included the First Baptist Church puppets, Johnny Barron and Company, SheBANG! Cloggers and the American Legion Dancers.