John Lenton, Tony Cowan and Phillip Grissold are celebrating.

Today they formally announce new community event 'TasteFest on the Manning'.

On January 14 of 2017 the Manning River foreshore will become a food lovers destination for the inaugural 'TasteFest on the Manning'.

The food festival is a collaboration between the Taree CIVIC heART project and Taree Lions Club, with the Lions co-ordinating and running the event. The festival will be held at Queen Elizabeth Park, along the Manning River foreshore. It will be an all-day event running between 10am and 8pm. There will be entertainment and music as well as other activities.

TasteFest chairman, John Lenton, said the event will aim to engage the community and visitors in a festival atmosphere, celebrating good food, craft beers and quality wine.

TasteFest co-ordinator Phillip Grissold of Taree Lions Club added the event will be a showcase of what the Manning Valley has to offer from milk producers to other homegrown goodness.

The motivation for the event, said Phillip, was to fill a gap in local events left by the absence of the Aquatic Festival. He hopes the festival will compliment other summer tourism draw cards like the Troy Bayliss Classic and the Taree Summer Regatta.

"We were looking for a way to freshen up our approach to fundraising," he said. 

Taree Lions Club president Danny Patch said "Money raised at TasteFest 2017 will allow Lions to meet pressing needs in our community as well as support national projects."

"Lions members thank those in the Manning Valley that already have agreed to get behind the event to help make it a great success. With such positive support, locals are truly helping Lions make a difference in our community."

For further information like 'TasteFest on the Manning' on Facebook.