By Julianna Parker Jones
Ever thought it might be nice to try 40 different restaurants in the same night?
Even if that hasn't been a dream of yours, you can still check out all the options tonight with one simple event: A Taste of Norman.
With one ticket, those in attendance will be able to sample many of the 42 restaurants at the event, and they'll support the arts at Norman high schools.
A Taste of Norman is an annual fundraiser for Norman High and Norman North's instrumental and vocal music programs.
Tickets cost $15 in advance from a high school student or online at tasteofnorman.com, or $18 at the door. The event is 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the University of Oklahoma Field House, just north of the Gaylord Family -- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where NHS and NNHS will face off at 7:30 p.m.
This is the seventh year in a row that the event has taken place before the Crosstown Clash, said Sherry Isom, event organizer for the past seven years. Several years before that, the Taste of Norman event was an athletics fundraiser.
"It just kind of died out, so we just kind of resurrected it as a fundraiser for the music department," Isom said.
During the past several years, the event has grown and is now not just a place to find great food but a place to socialize as well, she said.
"It's become quite a social event, so it's quite fun," she said. A Taste of Norman also will feature performances by band, orchestra and vocal music students.
Restaurants participating in the event will donate their food and services so all proceeds go toward the music department, Isom said. Event sponsors are Republic Bank and Trust and Marc Heitz Chevrolet.
Julianna Parker Jones 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com
