FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – WRIGHTSVILLE, PA – The Susquehanna River contributes two-thirds of the freshwater to the Chesapeake Bay and is critically important to the restoration efforts for the whole watershed.

To help heal the Susquehanna and its tributaries, the Alliance for the Chesapeake kicked off the celebrations at River’s Edge on August 31st as part of the Alliance’s annual Taste: Celebrate the Chesapeake event series.

  • 111 of our friends and partners gathered at River’s Edge to celebrate the Chesapeake.
  • With your help, our silent auction and raffle raised over $3,380!
  • Many thanks to all of our incredible sponsors for helping us raise over $102K leading up to last night’s event!

The PA Taste took place at a truly upstream location: River’s Edge at Long Level. Nestled along the banks of the lower Susquehanna, River’s Edge provided an amazing river atmosphere with views you won’t want to miss.

The Taste is a celebration of our Chesapeake Bay watershed, offering live music, locally-inspired eats, awards ceremonies, silent auctions, and comradery. As the Alliance’s largest annual fundraiser, the Taste brings together like-minded corporations and conservationists within three distinct Chesapeake Bay watershed communities.

In the following weeks, the Taste will also take place at Blue Atlas Restaurant and Market in Richmond, VA on September 7 and the Annapolis Maritime Museum in Annapolis, MD on September 21.

Food & Music

On top of the jaw-dropping views, The Taste will feature delicious food provided by Rettew’s Catering. Based in Manheim, PA, Rettew’s is a family-run business that’s been operating for 30 years. Food for the evening will consist of locally inspired, heavy hors d’oeuvres.

  • Chesapeake blue crab cakes and oysters on the half shell
  • Farm-fresh produce, like tomatoes and corn
  • Mac and cheese cups made with locally sourced cheese
  • Locally brewed craft beer
  • Create your own s’mores over the fire with Hershey’s chocolate

Attendees mingled under the bistro lights or next to the fire pits as the sun set and t he moon rose along the Susquehanna, and enjoyed live music performed all evening by Dave McCullough.

Awards Ceremony

We honored our 2023 Pennsylvania Watershed Champion, Jodi Sulpizio. Jodi is a Natural Resources Educator for Penn State Extension, and coordinates the Master Watershed Steward Program and the Spongy Moth Program in York. She teaches residents about stormwater, drinking water safety, and watershed management. Thank you, Jodi, for your commitment to clean water in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and we can’t wait for you to join us at the Taste!

PA has the second most miles of rivers in the US, just behind Alaska, join us in celebrating the restoration and conservation of these waterways and the landscapes that surround them.

Tickets and more information can be found at allianceforthebay.org/taste.

Are you a business owner who wants to support The Taste? Collaborate for clean water with us by becoming a Taste sponsor today.

Media Contact

  • Adam Miller – 717-324-7820 – amiller@allianceforthebay.org