Some 1,500 people turned out for the 12th annual Taste of the South fundraiser at Heritage Park last Thursday.

The Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce fundraiser is a special event where local restaurants and cooks offer samples of some of their best dishes. The attendees, or tasters, judge their favorites.

Chamber Executive Director Sheryl Vickery said the event was wonderful.

“It was probably the biggest one we’ve ever had,” Vickery said.

More than $8,000 was raised from the fundraiser.

Vickery said the chamber printed 750 tickets, and 15 minutes before 6 p.m., they were recycling them.

“We were recounting the tickets to tally and then bringing them back and giving them five tickets plus a large ticket for best taste,” she said.

More than 25 vendors set up around the park and attendees walked around sampling their favorites.

Winners of the Taste of the South were announced at the conclusion of the event.

The winners are the following:

Best Decorated Booth Division — Wind Creek Casino

Best Dessert Division — Lacey’s Cakes

Best Taste, Professional Division — David’s Catfish House for Ponderosa

Best Amateur Division — Lion’s Club

Vickery said the event was such a big success that most vendors ran out of food.

“A lot of the vendors who were here last year did triple and still ran out,” she said.

The most important aspect of the event, in Vickery’s eyes, was seeing the community come together and fellowshipping with each other.

“I don’t think there was a frown out there,” she said.

When asked how she’s going to make next year better, Vickery said she doesn’t have to worry.

“We want to grow every year,” she said. “Everybody’s going to tell 15 other people how much fun they had. More people will then show up.”