Wise County businesses will have several opportunities to participate in the Taste of Wise, being held for the second year by the Look Local Wise County Task Force.

It will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Decatur Civic Center, sponsored by the task force.

In addition to seeking restaurants to serve local cuisine at the event, the task force is adding the Ms. Senior Wise County pageant for women 65-plus.

Sponsors are needed for the contestants, in addition to retail merchants willing to assist participants in casual and Sunday dress.

The task force was formed a year ago by participating chambers of commerce, economic development corporations, Main Street programs and other business groups. Its goal is to remind county residents to look first to local merchants before taking dollars outside the county.

In addition to highlighting the wide variety of food available from local restaurants and other vendors, the event will give service businesses an opportunity to act as pageant sponsors, and clothing merchants a chance to assist in dressing the contestants.

In addition to free food and the pageant, the event will feature door prizes for attendees. There is no charge to attend.

The pageant participants will model casual wear, Sunday dress and answer a question from the master of ceremonies.

Jay Craddock of Bridgeport will serve as emcee. Three mystery judges will be among the crowd, and attendees can help select the winner by “voting” for their favorite for $1 per vote.

All proceeds will benefit the Look Local Task Force.

Awards will be presented to the sponsoring businesses, in addition to the winners.

The task force plans to premier its new video and update the audience on its accomplishments during its first year.

Merchants can participate in the ongoing campaign by displaying Look Local posters and information and learning more about the Shop Stamp Spend countywide holiday shopping promotion.

Restaurants that would like to participate can call Susan Miller at (940) 627-7658.

Businesses that would like to sponsor a pageant contestant or clothing should contact Phil Major at pmajor@wcmessenger.com or (940) 627-5987.

Cost to sponsor a contestant is $100.