NORMAN — One new aspect of A Taste of Norman this year was space. Several tables allowed participants to sit in the University of Oklahoma Mosier indoor track facility while they nibbled samples from the 43 participating restaurants. This was a change from previous years, where people stood to eat their food at Howard McCasland Field House.
“Before, it was so crowded that we didn’t want people to hang out,” Coordinator Sherry Isom said. She and Brad Benson, director of fine arts for Norman Public Schools, said they were delighted at the newfound legroom.
Benson said the attendance seemed in line with previous years, but that it was hard to really guess, since he was dealing with a new location.
“Because the venue is bigger, I think we’re handling the number of people better,” he said.
Many people braved the heat of the track facility to load their plates with food samples, everything from chicken strips to bacon-wrapped quail to snow cones. Most made several trips in an attempt to visit all of the restaurants. Student musicians provided entertainment for the night, showcasing the reason for the night’s fundraiser.
That was the case for the Stewart family. Jeanette Stewart and Robert Stewart came to support Mary Stewart, a freshman member of the Norman High choir.
For David Miller and Cathryne Stein, though, they just came to support the schools and be a part of the Norman tradition.
“It’s a community experience,” Stein said.
Martha Ogilvie, who was with Miller and Stein, said she mainly came for the experience, although she has roots in the Norman music program. She is a product of the Norman High orchestra.
The proceeds from each $15 ticket for the event support the band, orchestra and choir programs at both Norman high schools. Isom told the Transcript in an earlier interview that the event usually brings in about $25,000 for the schools.
Darin Chapin, choir director at Norman North High School, said he uses the money to purchase sheet music and other supplies for the duration of the year.
Chapin said he appreciates the support of the Norman community when it comes to fine arts.
“I think it’s reflected in our concert attendance and the amount of kids in our programs in the district,” Chapin said.
