Farm To Table Sunset Dinner returns to Neenah

by Tim Froberg

Bon appétit. That’s the message organizers of the Farm to Table Sunset Dinner want to convey.

The annual late-summer feast returns to its original format August 19 at Neenah’s Mahler Park.

The Farm to Table Sunset Dinner is an open-air elegant dining experience. It gives diners a chance to toast to the sunset and enjoy a four-course meal prepared by local chefs, featuring farm-fresh produce from area growers.

A year ago, the event was limited to take-out dinners due to the global pandemic. It is put together annually by Future Neenah Inc. and sponsored by Community First Credit Union. 

A single bite has yet to be taken, but The Farm to Table Sunset Dinner is already a success. It is officially sold out, with 110 tickets (at $75 per person) purchased.

“We sold out in 24 hours – that’s a record,” said Meredith Rathe, events coordinator for Future Neenah. “It’s just really good locally sourced food in a cool environment. It gives everyone a chance to have a fine dining experience and just relax.”

The event starts with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. The four-course meal includes appetizers, salad, entrée with a wine pairing, and dessert. 

“It’s a really popular event,” Rathe said. “Prior to tickets going on sale, we were getting calls asking about if we were going to have it again.”

The dinner takes place in a tented area, so it’s a rain or shine event. The menu is based on seasonality and availability of farm-fresh ingredients from growers that participate in Future Neenah’s Farmers Market.

A takeout option of the event – Farm to YOUR Table – will be held October 7, offering take away meal baskets. Registration starts September 7. A basket can be reserved by calling Future Neenah Inc. at 920-722-1920, or by going to FutureNeenah.org and clicking on the event link.

Future Neenah is a community-oriented nonprofit organization dedicated to economic vitality in the Neenah area.