World Photo by Lou Sennick In front of Cone 9 during Taste of the Town, owner Tim Thomas passes out samples of wine and Taylor’s ham. The wines came from Hawksview Winery in Gaylord and Sea Mist Cranberry Wines in Bandon.

Five bucks.

Not a bad price to get to sample the fare from some of the best restaurants in the Bay Area.

That's what guests were treated with at the Taste of the Town event held last Tuesday at the Pony Village Mall.

The proceeds from the event will go toward school supplies in the first and seventh grades in the North Bend and Coos Bay school districts.

Katherine Hoppe, event co-ordinator, said Taste of the Town raised $1,160 and other school supplies that were donated at the event.

“I've seen towns where I've lived in the past do similar events and they were always wonderful. Our restaurants here in the Bay Area are just as good as other towns that do this so it was a great opportunity to show them off and give something back to our community at the same time.”

In addition to the fundraiser, the event had a panel that handed out awards.

The Lucky Dragon Buffet won the award for “Best Taste” for their Coconut Chicken. “Best Display” went to Captain's Choice for their Crab Cakes; and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce gave its award to Mamma Mia Italian Restaurant.

Other restaurants on hand at the event were Colette's Crepes; the Timber Inn Restaurant & Lounge; Dippin' Dots; Cone 9; Orange Julius; Lori's Goodies to go!; and Brickstone's Restaurant at the Red Lion Hotel.