(Story and Photos by Gabie Cardenas)

On Sunday May 6, 2012, the Child and Family Center held its 24th Annual Taste of the Town event, to benefit the youth in our community. A fun event held outdoors in a garden setting at the Mann Biomedical Park, in Valencia.

“Even though the day is indeed fabulous, it is important to remember that today there are other people (..) who are struggling with deep depression, confusing emotional turmoil, dark and dangerous thoughts of suicide or violence and more” and ” know that Child and Family Center is there for you as it has been for 36 years”, Lois Bauccio, President and Executive Director of Child and Family Center Foundation reminds all the guests of Taste of the Town event today.

This event is a food lover’s dream come true.  Over 40 of our valley’s best restaurants and caterers shared their amazing food, wines, beers, margaritas and of course desserts. Many other participants donated auction items and services.  There were live and silent auction items and a chance to win a 7-day Princess cruise for two to the sun-kissed Caribbean or Mexican Riviera. The Champagne Diamond Drop offered guests a glass of champagne and a chance to win a one-carat diamond hand-selected in Belgium by Classic Designs Jewelry. The day included live entertainment – all fit for an event that is considered the “Best Charity Event in the SCV”.

As guests enjoyed their afternoon worry-free, their children were invited at the Open Gym, sponsored by Gymnastics Unlimited and My Gym.

Click here to read more about this event.

Scroll down to see some photos from the event.

The afternoon ended with electrifying live music, sing-along and certainly dancing on the ever-so-shrinking lawn bellow the stage.

Park setting at the Mann Biomedical hosts Child and Family Center’s 24th Annual Taste of the Town charity event.
Sign in.	Get your glass and sampling plate.
Complimentary photo booth.
Local restaurants offering samples of their most popular foods and beverages. Pictured above: Persia Restaurant booth.	Numerous auction items lined up the side of the venue.
Masters of Ceremony Ed Masterson (left, above) and Sandra Mitchell (right, above),	announce and award those who made a difference in this event’s mission.
Elizabeth Hopp of Bank of Santa Clarita, title sponsor.	Tim and Jenny Ketchepaw, community co-chairs.
Just a reminder of this	amazing event’s mission.
Marlene Bernstein (second from left, above) welcoming guests at the raffle booth and handing out 25-score savings cards. Over 20 local businesses offered goods and services for the general silent auction.
	The winners of a custom spercial-occasion dream dress auction, soon to celebrate their anniversary in Rome.
	Mark LeVang (above) with Mark LeVang and Friends, first class ensemble, performed a variety of musical works, kept the visitors entertained all afternoon.