Celebrate April Fool’s with food

By Monica Green/features@trcle.com

Tue, May 13 2008

— Eat a light breakfast and lunch on April Fool’s Day. No, that’s not a joke. That’s advice to visitors planning to attend the seventh annual Taste of Cleburne on Tuesday.
The much-anticipated food event is Tuesday night at the Cleburne Civic Center. Doors open at 6 p.m.
“They’re lined up out the door about six o’clock,” chamber President Cathy Marchel said. “We open the doors, and everyone bursts in. We usually have around 400 to 500 people.”
This year foodies will enjoy a “Taste from Italy,” the theme selected by the Taste of Cleburne chairwoman, Sandi Taylor.
“We always do sort of a European theme,” Taylor said. “This year we decided to do Tuscan colors.”
This is Taylor’s second year to serve as chairwoman.
“I have been with Taste of Cleburne from the very beginning,” Taylor said. “It’s my very favorite event that the chamber puts on. Everyone loves it. The vendors love it. The customers that come in love it. It is so much fun.”
A special addition this year is murals painted by artist Lynn Bradford. They will be hanged from the ceilings in the entryway, Taylor said.
“She has donated her time, and Heritage Trails [nursing home] donated the supplies,” Taylor said. “I think we’ll be really blown away by them.”
H-E-B is again the presenting sponsor, and Dr. Joe Martin will provide entertainment on the piano.
“Everyone comes, socializes and has a taste, and they can fill their stomachs up,” Marchel said. “We know it’s hard to get away from the restaurants and the stores, and we just appreciate them coming out to do this.”
The Cleburne High School culinary arts students will also have a booth this year.
“That’s always a joy to have them,” Taylor said. “To see young people out there, learning the trade. It’s really a great group of kids. They’re just very professional and eager to learn and eager to please.”
Tickets are $15 and available at the chamber office until 5 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are also available at the door for $20.
For information, call the chamber at 817-645-2455.