The Pike County United Appeal will kick off its 2016-2017 fundraising campaign with “A ‘Little’ Taste of Pike County” from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama on Highway 231 North in Troy.

Everyone is invited to come and learn more about Pike County and the 17 United Appeal agencies that serve the community.   “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 products and services that we have here in Pike County,” said Melinda Conner, Pike County United Appeal executive secretary. “We have 22-plus vendors who will give us a ‘taste’ of the businesses and industries that make up the diverse business community here in Pike County and also the services that are provided by clubs and organizations throughout the county.” Several businesses, including Whaley Pecans, Dolce Bakery and 231 Barbecue will be among the food vendors. New businesses in the county will be among the retail vendors. “Among the new businesses will be Lavender Court Soap Company, Feathers of Love and the Pink Magnolia Boutique,” Conner said. “We will have a wonderful mixture of businesses that have been a part of Pike County for a while and those that are relatively new to the county.”

Vendor booths are $25 each and will be available until Saturday morning. A highlight of the “Little Taste of Pike County” will be the homemade ice cream contest.

“We invite all ice cream makers to enter their favorite recipe in the contest and be eligible for a trophy and other prizes that will be awarded,” Conner said. “

Those who enter the homemade ice cream contest should register their entry between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m. Judging will be at 11 a.m.  Entertainment will be provided throughout the fundraising kickoff event. The First Baptist Church Puppets will be on stage at 11:15 a.m. followed by the American Legion Dancers and Micky DeLoach, folk musician and singer.

“We’ll have a kids’ corner so ‘A ‘little’ Taste of Pike County’ will be a fun event for people of all ages,” Conner said. “Everyone is invited to join us as we learn more about our community and those who serve us. We are hopeful that Saturday will be a nice day. If not, we’ll get inside and have a good time together. Admission to “A ‘little’ Taste of Pike County” is $5. All of the proceeds benefit the 17 local agencies served by the Pike County United Appeal.

To reserve a vendor booth or enter the homemade ice cream contest, call 334-566-0011.