Almost 300 people sampled some of Covington and Newton's restaurants at the Taste of Newton event hosted by the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce Thursday night.

Attendees walked around and visited 38 vendors who circled a room on the third floor of the County Administration Building, while they listened to live music from local guitarist Brian David.

Restaurants offered samples of their menu items and other businesses gave away prizes at their booths as people lined up to get a taste of what the community had to offer.

Lisa Baker, event organizer and the Chamber's Membership Director, said the event is the chamber's big fundraiser for the year to help raise money to help better the business community with seminars, networking opportunities and other events.

Baker said this was the second year the chamber held the Taste of Newton and it was a great success. She said the chamber brought in more vendors and attendees than last year.

"The vendors were so happy at the end of the evening with the exposure that they got and I think the attendants thought it was a great event," Baker said. "[It brought] the community together by showcasing the businesses and the restaurants that we have to offer here in our community. It was just a good time to get together and meet new friends and old friends."

Baker said this was the chamber's second year holding the Taste of Newton event.

She said this year's event was sponsored by Alcovy Fitness and Charter Business. She said the event gave people in the community a chance to see what the county has to offer.

"I think [the Taste of Newton] is important on the business and restaurant side [because it allows them] to get their name out there and become involved in the community. I think when you have a business owner involved in the community, it makes people more apt to visit them.

"I think for the community itself, you hear so many people say hey, we don't have anything here as far as eating and restaurants, Baker said. "It's important for the community to come out there and see what we have and they don't have to go outside the county lines to buy something or to eat somewhere."

Baker said they haven't totaled how much money the event raised for the chamber, but they look forward to helping promote businesses in Newton by continuing to host the Taste of Newton and other events for the community.