Nana Baby Children's Home will host its fifth Tunes & Taco ThrowDown on Saturday, November 7, running from noon until 5 p.m. at Magens Bay on St. Thomas. Admission is free, and all money raised will go directly to the nonprofit.
The festival will showcase performances by New Orleans-based Deltaphonic and local group La Voix. Visitors can purchase taco and drink vouchers to sample offerings from neighbourhood businesses, then vote for their preferred creations. A blind tasting competition will allow judges to evaluate entries based on flavour alone, with categories spanning meat, fish, vegetarian and dessert options.
Director Darian Hairston said last year's event drew roughly 28 vendors serving 35 different tacos and 20 margarita variations, with organisers expecting at least 1,000 attendees this year. The festival is designed to appeal to families and children, following the model of other community fundraisers such as King of the Wing.
The home is working to raise $100,000 to expand its operations. Its current St. Thomas location serves children up to age 12, but leadership has been pursuing a separate facility for teenagers. Hairston noted that no placement options for teens currently exist on St. Thomas following Seaview's closure, while St. Croix facilities operate at capacity.
With backing from the Department of Human Services and Governor Albert Bryan Jr., the organisation has secured a second property on St. Thomas and is pursuing licensing to launch the teen programme. Once operational, Hairston said the facility will enable the home to serve more children with programming tailored to their developmental stage.
One pressing need is funding for extracurricular activities including music, sports, dance and art. The home has operated above capacity for nearly a year, and staff work to enrol every child in at least one activity. Hairston said the costs accumulate quickly across a group of 12 to 14 young people, and the organisation welcomes donations of services or sponsorships for activities like karate lessons.
For details and donation information, visit nanababyhome.com.
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