Annual Taste of Oxford to benefit St. Jude this Thursday at The Jefferson

Published 10:14 am Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Celebrating its 10th year, the annual St. Jude Taste of Oxford event this Thursday will offer some new experiences while keeping the tried and true parts of the successful fundraiser.

One new aspect will be the location. For several years, the event has been held at The Library Sports Bar and Grille; however, this year organizers have decided to move the event to The Jefferson event venue.

“We wanted to try something new and different,” said Lee Bobo, regional event specialist with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “It also allowed us more room to accommodate the Oxford community for this great event.”

Email newsletter signup

The event will feature gourmet food with a bourbon and wine tasting, which is also new to the event.

Music will be provided by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors.

Food will be provided by several local restaurants and chefs, including Beagle Bagel, Boneheads, Elizabeth Heiskell Catering, Funky’s, Grit, Gus’s Fried Chicken, Lenora’s, Mesquite Chop House, Mugg Cakes, My Michelle’s, Neon Pig, Oby’s, Old Venice Pizza Co., Proud Larry’s, Rebel Barn, Rib Cage, Round Table on the Square, Sweet Magnolia Gelato Co., The Cakery, The Green Roof Lounge and The Wine Bar.

The event will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $100 and all proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Last year, we crossed the $1 million threshold from this event (in the past 10 years),” Bobo said.

Most of the funds have been raised during the Taste of Oxford’s silent auction over the years and organizers hope that continues this year.

Some of the items up for grabs this year will be Paul Edelstein Artwork, vintage jewelry, Ole Miss packages, spa packages, restaurant packages, Kelly Wynne Bag, home items, multiple packages from gym studios around Oxford and a FedEx St. Jude Hospitality Suite package.

Actor Danny Thomas officially opened St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Feb. 4, 1962. Since then, the hospital’s groundbreaking research has helped push the survival rate for childhood cancer from less than 20 percent in 1962 to more than 80 percent today, according to its website.

Consistent with the Thomas’ vision, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.

Taste of Oxford has raised about $250,000 each year, which covers St. Jude’s operational costs for about three hours.

For more information, or to order tickets, visit www.stjude.org/tasteofoxford.