InTucker Magazine

Community, Food and Music: A Recipe for Success

Born out of a love for music and community the first Taste of Tucker was in 2010 and on the campus of Tucker First United Methodist Church. Karen and Art Wood, then Tucker residents and parishioners of TFUMC, were called to organize what was initially called Music Under the Stars made up of praise bands from the Tucker area churches, shared picnics and fellowship. It was their outlet to serve others and have some fun.

The inaugural event drew 500 attendees with such tremendous support that Karen and Art decided to do it again. Each year they added more restaurants and bands, and each year the crowd grew. In 2014 they realized they had outgrown the TFUMC parking lot, so they moved to Main Street, switched to secular music and just kept growing. Today they boast 20 restaurants offering tastings, live music, a kid zone, arts & crafts vendors, informational booths, a beer garden and new this year, a VIP Experience (details below). Stick around until the end of the day for the Taste of Tucker prizes, awarded for Best Appetizer, Best Entrée and Best Dessert.

This year marks 15 years of feeding Tucker for the Woods. But thankfully, as the festival and their mission has grown, so has their board of volunteer organizers. Taste of Tucker is now primarily organized by six dedicated and motivated people: Karen and Art Wood, David Fisher and Stephanie Shapiro of NETWorks, Sharda Vishwanathan and Rob Shaw of Camp Kudzu. NETWorks and Camp Kudzu are the two beneficiaries of the annual event and receive 100% of the proceeds.

GIVING BACK

When the Woods realized they had a large and growing platform in Taste of Tucker, they decided to connect with a local charity to enhance the prestige of the event. Every year the funds raised have increased and in 2023, Taste of Tucker raised $57,750!

NETWorks was the initial beneficiary and Taste of Tucker remains their largest fundraiser as a single event every year. Celebrating 20 years, NETWorks serves Tucker and the surrounding area with a food pantry, a grocery alliance, financial assistance and clothing closet.

The Woods added Camp Kudzu after their son, Trace, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2017. Camp Kudzu’s mission is “to educate, empower and inspire” children and their families living with type 1 diabetes. Camp Kudzu has been serving families of T1D children for 25 years and is Georgia’s largest provider of diabetes self-management education and support services.

Visit networkscoop.org and campkudzu.org for more information and opportunities to give.

ENTERTAINMENT

Music has always been a major part of Taste of Tucker, with a wide variety of bands taking the stage over the years. This year two major hitters will be rocking by the railroad tracks. The Platinum Band is an Atlanta favorite playing from 1-3 p.m. and Almost Famous closes the day out from 3:45-5:45 p.m..

Often lauded as the most fun day in the city, Taste of Tucker is a great illustration of how serving the community builds a stronger community. See you October 5, from 1-6 p.m. on Main Street.