The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife is pleased to announce the return of Taste of the Islands as an in-person event. Reimagined in 2020 due to COVID and completely cancelled in 2022 due to Hurricane Ian, CROW is excited to bring Taste of the Islands back to the community. The event will help reunite and celebrate the resilience of island restaurants and businesses.

“Taste is back! We are so thrilled to bring the much beloved open-air event back to the islands. By continuing to support our restaurant partners with the restaurant week leading up to the traditional event, we hope to make this year’s Taste a must do for everyone,” said Alison Charney Hussey, CROW’s executive director.

Taste of the Islands will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Sanibel City Hall at 800 Dunlop Road. Gates open at 11 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. The event features live music and showcases Sanibel and Captiva Islands’ vibrant and diverse restaurant community. Returning this year, event attendees can get a ‘taste’ of CROW and meet the Animal Ambassadors as well as take home a coveted Taste t-shirt.

“Sanibel is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in November as well and we thought it appropriate to bring Taste for all to enjoy at City Hall. We know how much everyone loves the Farmer’s Market so we think the new venue will give a fresh look and feel to Taste,” Hussey said.

In the week leading up to the Taste of the Islands Event, participating island restaurants will still celebrate at their own restaurants. Guests will ‘Taste’ each restaurant’s featured item and get an exclusive chance to cast their vote early for their favorite restaurant. Don’t forget to visit participating restaurants Nov. 1 through Nov. 8 for restaurant week.

Admission to Taste of the Islands is $10, children 10 and younger are $5, and children 3 and under are free. Tickets are available in advance at “http://tasteoftheislands.org” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>tasteoftheislands.org or can also be purchased at the entry gate. Guests will also purchase CROW Bucks to get their “tastes” from participating restaurants.

Longstanding Taste of the Islands title sponsor, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands is also back and supportive of the hybrid event.

“CROW has adapted Taste of the Islands over the past few years, not only to raise funds for their mission, but also to support the islands’ many restaurants. The one-day event gives the community a chance to come together to celebrate the fantastic food and drink the restaurants have to offer while supporting CROW’s good work of saving our wildlife,” said Geoff Roepstorff, CEO of Bank of the Islands.

For more information about Taste, sponsorships, or to become a participating restaurant, please contact Grace Murphy, Development Director at 239-322-5073 or development@crowclinic.org.

Proceeds from Taste of the Islands ensure CROW’s continued success providing the highest quality care and treatment of injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care. Funds also support public education and outreach efforts. Healthy wildlife means a healthy environment for all of us.

About CROW

Established in 1968, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife is a teaching hospital saving the sick, injured, and orphaned native and migratory wildlife of Southwest Florida and beyond. Through state-of-the-art veterinary care, public education programs and an engaging visitor center, CROW works to improve the health of the environment, humans, and our animals through wildlife medicine. For more information, or to plan your visit, go to crowclinic.org. If you find an animal that is in need of help, call 239-472-3644 ext. #222.