Novi, MI – Novi restaurants, entertainment, business sponsors and special guests are putting their best fare forward on Friday, September 21 at Wildcats Stadium as they support all Novi athletic programs through the Novi Athletic Boosters Club’s premier fund-raising and community outreach event, Wildcat Tastefest.  Organizers of the sixth annual event are hoping for a wonderful late summer evening, so restaurants are planning dinner for over 3,000 people.

Gates open at 5 p.m. for restaurant service and a silent auction, followed by the Novi High School Wildcats varsity football game vs. the South Lyon Lions at 7 p.m.  Admission is $5.

“We continue to be impressed by the collaborative spirit and commitment of our restaurant partners and business leaders in regards to Tastefest.  Year after year they go above and beyond our expectations in support of our Novi Students, Student Athletics and Athletics,” said Ray Notarantonio, who this year is co-chairing the event with Angela Johnson, Jack Kilger and Kim Morris.  Angela Johnson, Tastefest co-chair, sees the event as a key cornerstone of the Novi Athletic Booster’s mission. 

“Tastefest is a true community event”, she said. “There’s food, fun and camaraderie with parents, fans and our local business leaders.  Community outreach projects like this help strengthen our Novi Nation.” 

Local businesses, restaurants and corporate sponsors support Tastefest

As in years past there will be nine restaurants, two business merchants and corporate sponsors participating in Tastefest. Four of the restaurants, bd’s Mongolian Grill of Novi, Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar of Novi, Cold Stone Creamery of Novi, and Subway of Novi in West Oaks, have been involved all five years.  Pizza Marvelous of Novi is a five-year participant, Biggby Coffee of Novi is in its third year, and Olga’s Kitchen on Grand River in Novi and Applebee’s of Novi Olgas are enjoying their second year.  New to the Tastefest menu this year will be Qdoba, which just opened a new store at Haggerty and Eight mile.  

Pump-It-Up of Wixom will provide gigantic inflatable’s for kids of all ages. 

Our newest merchant for Tastefest, Busch's Fresh Food market on Ten mile and Meadowbrook, will have a booth set up to promote Busch’s Cash for Education Program.  Doug Busch, Community Development Director of Busch’s, knows the importance of community involvement.

“It has been a pleasure to be a partner with Novi Athletic Booster program over the years”, he said.  “It has been a Win-Win for both organizations.”

The dinner menu includes the following items from local restaurants:

• BD's Mongolian Grill
  • Kung pao chicken
• Buffalo Wild Wings
  • Traditional wings
• Subway
  • BMT/Turkey subs
• Pizza Marvelous  
  • Chicken bacon ranch pizza
  • Ribs
  • Breadsticks
• Olga's Kitchen  
  • Snackers
• Applebee's  
  • Specialty Salads
• Qdoba  
  • Naked Burrito

For dessert, attendees have the choice of the following:

• Cold Stone Creamery  
  • Sundae bar treats
• Biggby Coffee  
  • Strawberry crème freeze  
  • Biggby BEST coffee

Prices will be specially offered by our vendors based on their menu items.  Traditional concession items such as pop, popcorn and hotdogs will also be sold through Boosters concessions.

Major corporate sponsors involved this year include the safety lighting again from platinum sponsor Michigan CAT in Novi, and generous donations from gold sponsor Library Sports Pub of Novi, platinum sponsor Millennium Limo Service of Novi, and gold sponsor Town & Country Eyecare of Novi and the City of Novi. 

Silent Auction

In addition to enjoying dinner and dessert, Tastefest patrons will have the opportunity to bid on more than 200 items being offered through the Tastefest Silent Auction in the Field House.   Jack Kilger, Tastefest co-chair and silent auction chair, secured donations and collaborated with memorabilia vendors for this year’s event.

 “Our Silent Auction has grown over the years and this year promises to be bigger and better,” he said.  “We will have a wide range of sports memorabilia including some one-of-a-kind items, gift certificates to local merchants, and a Royal Caribbean cruise package.  It’s a great way for our fans to support Novi’s student-athletes as all proceeds will be funneled into our sports program.” 

Folks will be able to purchase this year’s themed “I Love Novi” T-shirts and other spirit wear items that will be available at nominal prices. 

Remember, come by and say ‘hello’ as we cheer on our Wildcats to victory and support our local businesses while making 2012 Tastefest a success.