DAPHNE — The “Wild, Wild West” is the theme of this year’s Taste of the Eastern Shore, a Daphne High School fund-raiser.

The event will be held Friday, Aug. 3, 7 p.m., at the Daphne Civic Center. Tickets are $25.

“Taste of the Eastern Shore gives people a chance to support the community and the children; and to have a great evening out, full of food and beverages,” Sandra Morse, Civic Center director, said.

In 2001, the Baldwin County school board talked of eliminating athletics and music programs, according to Morse. The Civic Center had planned a food-and-beverage event at the time, and Morse wondered if the event could help the school. The Daphne City Council approved giving the event proceeds to the high school, and the Taste of the Eastern Shore was born.

“It’s a major fund-raiser for the high school,” DHS principal Don Blanchard said.

“Eventually, everyone will be affected by the event because they end up at the high school or have children in high school,” Morse said.

It’s a win-win-win situation: The vendors can make contacts, the event promotes community and the proceeds benefit local students, Morse said.

“It’s so expensive for the different (band) groups to go and perform. Most of the budgets are transportation; it adds up in a hurry,” Blanchard said.

Through the years, the event has raised about $200,000, Morse said.

“That’s the thing about Daphne: The city is such a great benefactor for the school,” Blanchard said.

Approximately 50 vendors from Baldwin and Mobile counties will showcase their wares at this year’s Taste, Morse said.

Although the theme is “Wild, Wild West,” vendors are not required to incorporate that at their booths.

Also, while some entertainment acts may embrace the theme, The Tip Tops, a rhythm and blues band, will not change its repertoire for a western sound, Morse said.

However, the Civic Center will be decorated accordingly, using things like giant cowboy boots and cacti. Morse said attendees are encouraged to wear jeans, cowboy boots and hats.

There is also a silent auction during the Taste; proceeds from that will also benefit DHS, Blanchard said.

Tickets sold at the Civic Center allow the purchaser to determine which club or organization will receive the proceeds, Morse said.

Students and parents of different organizations (such as band or football) are also selling tickets; proceeds from those ticket sales will go directly to whichever club the ticket seller represents, Blanchard said.

For more information about this year’s Taste of the Eastern Shore, call the Civic Center at 626-5300.