Toast of Harwich Set For Nov. 23

HARWICH – There are only a couple of weeks left to get a ticket to the chamber of commerce’s most celebrated event of the year, the Toast of Harwich.

The toast has become a permanent fall event and will take place at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club on Saturday, Nov, 23 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The theme of this year’s event is “A Culinary and Libaytion Celebration.” “LiBAYtion” is the name of the Wequassett bar near the resort’s pool. 

The Toast is an opportunity for local restaurants to provide their culinary delights to a large gathering of diners in a social setting. Chamber executive director Cyndi Williams said the restaurants participating will include 400 East Restaurant and Bar, Brenda’s Cakes for all Occasions, Cape Sea Grille, Dairy Queen, Dancing Spoons Catering, Lanyard Bar and Grill, Milano’s Italian Kitchen, Mooncusser Tavern and Inn, Red River Barbeque, Regal Care of Harwich, and the Wequassett Resort. 

Distributors Josh Cellars and 90+ Cellars will be pouring wines. The specialty drink served during the VIP section of the event from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. will be a Mija Sangria from 90+ Cellar, Williams said. Beer will be from Cape Cod Beer, Devil’s Purse and Hog Island. Jameson Black Barrel, a whiskey aged for 16 years, will also be sampled.

For several years the Rip-It-Ups have kept guests dancing, said Williams, but the beat will change a little bit this year, with Mike Dumas and the Satellite Band providing the music 

 There are a couple of other changes to this year’s event, Williams said. The live auction will be dropped and the silent auction will be a bigger draw, with Red Sox and Patriots tickets; a list of concert tickets is being finalized. Local merchants are also contributing to the auction, she said.

 “We wanted everyone to enjoy the food, music and dancing, and participate in the fun and friendly bidding that occurs with the silent auction,” said Williams. 

The move from an April event to November is permanent, according to Williams. The decision was based on restaurants not having the time to participate in two food events in the spring; the chamber also puts on Beer and Bones, a barbeque event in June. The restaurateurs said November would be a better time for the Toast, she said.

Tickets for theToast are selling well, Williams said, adding that she anticipates the 300-person cap will be met. VIP tickets for the event cost $120 and give people early access to the spread of food, signature cocktails and the silent auction at 6 p.m. General admission is $85 with the doors opening at 7 p.m. 

 Tickets can be purchased on the Harwich Chamber of Commerce website at harwichcc.com/cape-cod-vacation/the-chamber/.