Odd Fellows take over Taste of Davis

The Davis Odd Fellows Lodge announced this week that it will take over production of the fourth annual Taste of Davis event, which showcases about 30 restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries in Davis for an evening of tasting. The event will is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Odd Fellows Hall, 415 Second St. in downtown Davis.

The Davis Chamber of Commerce has produced the event for the past three years.

“The Davis Chamber of Commerce has really enjoyed our role as impresario for Taste of Davis, but it’s time to pass the torch,” said Chamber Executive Director Kemble Pope. “The Davis Chamber is confident that the Davis Odd Fellows will be a great match for this event and will continue the tradition. They have a perfect venue at their Lodge Hall and they have the volunteers to make it successful.”

In 2013, the Chamber will decrease the number of public events it hosts in order to focus more of its resources on economic development activities, Pope said.

This is the third major community event that the Odd Fellows have assumed responsibility for, said incoming Lodge Noble Grand Bob Schelen.

“Eight years ago, the Davis Downtown Business Association asked us to host Breakfast with Santa and we have been doing it successfully ever since,” he said in a news release. “Two years ago, the city of Davis asked us to take over Breakfast with the Bunny, and we have. Now, the trifecta is complete.”

Heading the steering committee for the event is incoming Lodge Vice Grand Lea Rosenberg, who also leads the committees for Breakfast with Santa and Breakfast with the Bunny.

“We’re very excited,” she said in a news release. “On two floors at the lodge, ticket-holders will be able to socialize, and sample culinary delights, wines and beers from over two dozen local vendors for only $40. It’s a great community event.”

The Davis Odd Fellows Lodge has been a fixture in the Davis area since it was chartered in 1870, before the city of Davis was chartered and before the founding of UC Davis. Today, the lodge has close to 200 members, including many community and business leaders.

The current Odd Fellows Hall on Second Street was built in 1955, but underwent extensive remodeling over the past few years, which installed a stainless steel commercial kitchen, new restrooms, an elevator and major renovations to the Lower Hall and Upper Hall. The Lodge Hall is widely used by community and charitable groups.

The Odd Fellows are a fraternal order tracing its history to 18th century England. The Davis Lodge is dedicated to community and charitable service.

The Davis Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1905 with the primary goal of lobbying the California Legislature to locate the University Farm, now UC Davis, in the Davis community. The Chamber is a membership-based organization supported by annual investments from more than 600 local member businesses. Its mission is to promote, support and advocate the general economic vitality of its membership and the quality of life for the community.