August might seem like a long way off, but it’s actually just around the bend.

So the Pike County United Appeal board wants to get the message out about its exciting fundraising event that will benefit 18 charitable Pike County agencies that serve Pike County.

Melinda Conner, board executive secretary, said this year’s fundraising campaign will kick off on August 13 with “A ‘little” Taste of Pike County,” which will be a sampling of all that Pike County has to offer.

“When we hear the word, ‘taste,’ we most often think of food and we’ll have plenty of that and we’ll also showcase the many things that we have here in Pike County,” Conner said. “This will be much like our kickoff event last year but several board members suggested that we have it during the day on Saturday rather than a weeknight. We’re excited about the possibilities.”

“A ‘Little’ Taste of Pike County’ will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. August 13 at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama with a rain date of August 20.

“We are opening the ‘taste’ to all Pike Countians and those who are from Pike County,” Conner said. “Vendor fees are $25 for businesses, organizations, clubs and any groups that want to let people know about their services or about what they do to serve Pike County.”

Conner said Whaley’s Pecans and the Troy Animal Shelter are examples of the type vendors that are already on board.

Individuals may also participate with their creative endeavors.

“If someone has written a book or wants to showcase some other project, we welcome them as vendors,” Conner said.

There’s something else really cool about “A ‘little’ Taste of Pike County.” And, what’s cooler in August than ice cream?

“We are having a homemade ice cream contest and everyone is invited to enter their favorite ice cream,” Conner said.

“There’s no fee to enter the contest. For only one dollar, you can taste the different ice creams and then become a judge of which is best.”

The Pike County United Appeal fundraiser will also feature a kid’s corner with fun activities for all ages and entertainment throughout the event.

The entrance fee for “A ‘little’ Taste of Pike County” will be $5.

“All of the money raised at our kickoff event will benefit the people of Pike County through the 18 agencies that are served by the Pike County United Appeal,” Conner said.

Those agencies are the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Colley Senior Complex, East Central Mental Health, Easter Seals, 4-H Clubs, Girl Scouts, House of Ruth, Humane Society of Pike County, Junior Charity League, OCAP, Pike Regional Advocacy Center, Pioneer Museum of Alabama, Precious Paws, Red Cross, RSVP, Salvation Army and Sav-A-Life.

For more information about the Pike County United Appeal’s “A ‘little’ Taste of Pike County,” to reserve a vendor booth or enter the homemade ice cream contest, call 334-566-0011.