The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is thrilled to announce  the return of one of Columbus’ premier events, the Synovus Toast of the Town. After a gap year due to the  pandemic, the Synovus Toast of the Town is scheduled for Friday, March 4, 2022 at the Columbus Georgia Convention and Trade Center. Savor world-class wines, handcrafted beers, and delicious Southern spirits  and dine on food prepared by some of the region’s most celebrated chefs, all while mingling with the  contributing brew-masters, vintners, master-distillers and culinary luminaries. 

“The Synovus Toast of the Town is the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s single largest fundraising event  each season. We are excited to bring the event back after a brief hiatus due to the challenges brought on by  COVID-19,” said CSO Executive Director Eric Thomas. “The event helps support and grow our artistic and  educational programming for the Columbus community and is vital to the economic and cultural development  of our area. We are extremely appreciative of the support of our wonderful sponsors and vendors, who make  this event possible.” 

“We’re committed to enabling those in our communities to reach their full potential,” said Synovus Columbus  Market President Heath Schondelmayer. “Music is a powerful source for inspiring creativity and lifting  emotions, which is especially important in our world today. We’re proud to once again be a title sponsor of  the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s 2022 Synovus Toast of the Town. For more than 10 years, this  incredible event has been a fixture in the Chattahoochee Valley, and we’re thrilled to help raise funds that  support the CSO’s creative programs, educational opportunities, and musical experiences for all." 

As of this printing, the Synovus Toast of the Town is proud to announce almost 100 vendors will participate.  Guests will taste samples from Columbus favorites and event loyalists including, 11th and Bay Southern  Table. “As a proud member of the culinary community in Columbus, the Synovus Toast of the Town provides  us with the opportunity to showcase our menu to a wide demographic of potentially new customers, while  giving back to the community by supporting the Columbus Symphony Orchestra”, said Heather Harrell, chef  and owner of 11th & Bay Southern Table. 

New to the event in 2022 include Agave Bar and Grill, The Animal Farm, Charred Oak Kitchen & Bar  and Denim & Oak Riverfront Restaurant. Columbus favorites, such as Country’s Barbeque, Stock  Market Dueling Kitchens, and Hudson’s at Main Street will again be offering their culinary samplings.  Specialty vendors like Goodson Pecans and Southern Straws Cheese Straws will provide guests with  the opportunity to try something unique. “We have participated in the event for several years, and it  never disappoints. The evening brings together the region’s top wineries, restaurants, specialty  gourmet companies, breweries and more! Toast always exceeds our expectations as an experience  and we wouldn’t miss it,” said Margaret Amos, Southern Straws Cheese Straws founder and co-owner,  along with her son, Neal. 

Among the many culinary options, event guests will enjoy tastes from regional, national, and  international winemakers distributed by Georgia Crown, Atlanta Beverage Company (formerly B&B  Beverage Company), Empire Distributing, Eagle Rock Distributing Co. and more. For those guests  who prefer a mixed drink, our Spirits vendors will showcase several of the newly popularized canned 

cocktails. As the Preferred Package Store, The Bottle Shop will also be pouring several of their favorite  wines and spirits at the event as well. A diverse array of beers, seltzers and brewing companies will  offer samples of their products for guests to enjoy. There is truly something for every palette to taste!  For a full list of participating vendors, please visit the event website at ToastColumbus.com. 

In addition to an evening of amazing tastes and toasts, the Synovus Toast of the Toast will feature a silent  auction filled with unique and hard-to-find items as well as a brand-new activity: The Bottle Shop Wine Wall.  Attendees will have the opportunity to buy a $25 ticket to select a mystery bottle of wine provided by The  Bottle Shop ranging from a value of $25 to $100+. 

Advance purchase requirements and black-out dates apply. Tickets are non-refundable/ non-exchangeable.  For tickets and information visit www.ToastColumbus.com. Grand Tasting tickets are $95 per person. Grand  Tasting tickets will be $115 at the door plus taxes and fees. 

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra is the second orchestra formed in the United States and has  produced masterful music for the citizens of the Chattahoochee Valley since 1855. Funds raised  through the Synovus Toast of the Town provide vital financial support needed to support the CSO's  artistic and education outreach initiatives, serving over 15,000 children and families each year. The  Synovus Toast of the Town is essential to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra's ability to maintain its  recognition as one of the Southeast's finest musical ensembles.