The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is excited to announce the return of its beloved event, Taste of the Islands, for its 43rd year on November 9th. After being reimagined in 2020 due to COVID-19 and canceled in 2022 due to Hurricane Ian, this year’s event will once again be held in person from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City Hall, located at 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
“‘Taste is back!’” exclaimed CROW Executive Director Alison Charney Hussey. “We are thrilled to bring this much-loved open-air event back to the islands.”
The event will feature live music and showcase the vibrant and diverse restaurant community of Sanibel and Captiva, offering attendees the opportunity to reconnect and celebrate the resilience of local businesses. In addition, participants can meet CROW’s Animal Ambassadors, get a ‘taste’ of CROW’s mission, and take home a commemorative Taste T-shirt.
In honor of Sanibel’s 50th anniversary, this year’s event will take place at City Hall, adding a fresh atmosphere to the celebration. “We know how much everyone loves the farmers market, so we believe this new venue will provide a refreshed look and feel to Taste,” Hussey added.
In the week leading up to the event, participating restaurants will host a special celebration at their locations from November 1st to 8th, where the public can sample each restaurant’s featured item and cast their votes early. This restaurant week aims to support local eateries while building excitement for the main event.
Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands proudly returns as the title sponsor for this year’s Taste of the Islands. Geoff Roepstorff, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the importance of the event: “CROW has adapted Taste of the Islands over the past few years, not only to raise funds for their mission but also to support the islands’ many restaurants. The one-day event brings the community together to celebrate fantastic food and drink while supporting CROW’s vital work in saving our wildlife.”
Proceeds from the event will directly support CROW’s mission to provide the highest quality care for injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife, as well as fund public education and outreach initiatives.
Admission to the event is $10 for ages 11 and older, $5 for ages 4 to 10, and free for children 3 and under. Attendees can purchase CROW Bucks to enjoy ‘tastes’ from the participating restaurants.
Tickets are available at tasteoftheislands.org and can also be purchased at the gate. For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities, or how to become a participating restaurant, contact CROW Development Director Grace Murphy at 239-322-5073 or [email protected].
CROW is located at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
