Park event could be final fundraiser to restore Peddie Lake walkway span
By Doug Carman, Staff Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — Seven local restaurants will offer samplings of their best dishes this Saturday at the Taste of Hightstown fundraising event, hosted by the Greenway Bridge Committee.
Organizers hope the event will bring them past the $50,000 mark toward restoring the walking bridge over Peddie Lake’s dam, Greenway Bridge Committee Chairman Darek Hahn said.
Mr. Hahn said $5,000 is needed to bring that goal to fruition, though he said the more it raised, the better off they’ll be. Fundraising efforts first began last September, after the committee was formally recognized by the borough.
Mr. Hahn said visitors who buy the tickets can chow on the samples and then vote among the seven restaurants — six from Hightstown and one from East Windsor — as they’re served at Memorial Park, weather permitting, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance (today) or $15 on Saturday.
The six Hightstown restaurants participating are: Malto Bene, Da’s Slowdown Café, The Hightstown Diner, Tavern on the Lake, Mannino’s Pizzeria and Trattoria and Famiglia Pizzeria. Basil’s Legends and Lamb Chop House. Mediterranean Grille, located at the Day’s Inn in East Windsor, is also participating.
Mr. Hahn said the winner will be given a recognition at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, but several of the restaurant owners reached Wednesday said they were participating in the event to see the bridge rebuilt, not to try to out-do each other’s plates.
”It’s just for the benefit, not for the competition,” said Joe Mannino, who owns Mannino’s Pizzeria. He said he was going to bring in some pasta and pizza dishes.
Along with local food, Taste of Hightstown will also run a silent auction featuring 20 items up for bid, ranging from gift certificates to gift baskets and separate vacation packages to Florida and New Orleans.
In case of rain or inclement weather, Taste of Hightstown will move inside the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, Mr. Hahn said.
For more information or to get advance tickets, an e-mail Mr. Hahn at [email protected].

