‘Taste of the Bay’ event runs now through May 9

The Onset Bay Association’s 2021 “Taste of the Bay” event, which was designed to support local restaurants and reward people for being patrons, is being held Thursday, April 1, through Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 9. 

The Onset Bay Association describes the event as “a dine-around event that encourages community-wide engagement as well as support for local restaurants.”

Wareham residents who wish to participate should dine-in at any participating restaurant or get take-out or delivery from those locations. Participants can download or pick up an “entry form,” which contains information about the participating restaurants.

People who try out the restaurants are asked to save the receipt for their meal and attach it to their entry form. Participants will mail or deliver hard copy forms (with the attached receipts) to the Onset Bay Association at 196 Onset Ave. 

Alternatively, the Association’s “Taste of the Bay” app can be used for a virtual experience. Users will upload their receipts via the app, if they go the digital route. 

“Just to add a little friendly competition to the experience, there’s a leaderboard for the top ten,” said Kat Jones, executive director of the Onset Bay Association. 

There are no fees for individuals or participating restaurants. Full participation details are available on the Association’s website:  https://www.onsetbay.org/taste-bay-2021/ 

The Onset Bay Association will award a “grand prize” and prizes for several categories, including “most restaurants visited” and “most creative social media post.” Exact prizes haven’t been announced yet, however.

This approach is a reimagined version of the association’s original “Taste of the Bay” event, which was planned for 2020. The event had been designed to showcase local restaurants through a passport program that would reward restaurant patrons and increase OBA membership. 

When covid hit, the association postponed the event indefinitely and then reevaluated. 

“Currently, we are in a situation that our local restaurants need our support more than ever,” said Event Chair Kristi Cornuet. “Taste of the Bay will give people an opportunity to enjoy the restaurants they love and hopefully discover new ones.”

For updates and participating restaurants, visit the event Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tasteofthebay