PORT TOWNSEND — The Taste of Port Townsend gets tastier every year.

“This is always a lot of fun,” said Port Townsend Main Street Executive Director Mari Mullen about Thursday’s event.

“It gives restaurants a chance to showcase their cuisine, and exposes diners to restaurants they may not have tried.”

Now in its 22nd year, the event is a fundraiser for Main Street programs that are devoted to supporting the promotion of downtown businesses.

The event, scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., will raise $7,000 for Main Street if all the tickets are sold, Mullen said.

One ticket gives a diner admission to 12 Port Townsend restaurants that are serving their specialties in appetizer style.

Tickets are $30 and $20 for children younger than 12, although a $5 discount is given to those who buy tickets online prior to Tuesday.

There are 300 tickets available. As of Friday, some 75 had been sold, Mullen said.

Each ticket lists the participating restaurants with space for a stamp from each.

Tickets turned in with six or more stamps will be entered to win the Tasty Prize, which is worth more than $200.

There are four new venues on the Taste this year: Banana Leaf Thai Bistro, Necesito Burrito, The Boiler Room and The Apothecarium.

The other participating restaurants are Fins Coastal Cuisine, The Food Co-op, Jordini’s, Khu Larb Thai/The Little Rose, Muskan Indian Restaurant, Perfect Dreams Cupcakes, The Silverwater Café and the Undertown Coffee and Wine Bar.

The Apothocarium, the Food Co-op and the Muskan Indian Restaurant are required stops for the gift certificate drawing.

With three others — making six in all — a taster can enter a drawing for the Tasty Prize which includes dining gift certificates at Muskan Indian Restaurant, Khu Larb Thai & Little Rose, cupcakes at Perfect Dreams Cupcakes, Silverwater Spices at The Silverwater Café and gift certificates to The Apothecarium, The Boiler Room, the Food Co-op and the 2013 Taste of Port Townsend!

Mullen said the event benefits both restaurants and patrons.

“It allows restaurants to connect with new customers,” she said. “A few years ago, a customer went into the [now closed] Landfall during the Taste of Port Townsend, and they were serving their blueberry toast.”

“After that, he went in and ordered it every week for years.”

The food is donated. Proceeds go to the nonprofit Port Townsend Main Street.

Tickets are on sale at Safeway, The Food Co-op and Quimper Sound or online at http://thetasteofpt.eventbrite.com.

For more information, visit www.ptmainstreet.org.

________

Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.