Join REF at The Taste
The Taste is REF's annual signature event, serving up support for education in Rockford through great food, drinks, and community partnership.
Join us for a night of food, drinks, and fun to support Rockford kids and our community on March 5, 2026 at The Gilmore. Sample delicious offerings from local restaurants, enjoy drinks from the cash bar, and take part in an exciting live auction and paddle raise to support programs that benefit Rockford students and empower educators.
Support education in the Rockford community by sponsoring The Taste.
Your presence helps the Rockford Education Foundation create opportunities for every student and provide vital resources for our schools. View sponsorship packages
The deadline to sponsor the event and purchase tickets is February 20, 2026
Photos from The Taste 2025
2024 Taste Event Photos
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Bier Distillery
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
The Score
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
REF Trustee, Margaret Becker
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
DJ WhitneyWho
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Sugar Bar
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
REF Executive Director, Beth Meyer-Kraff
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
REF Trustee and Chairperson Tim Breadon & Sponsor, The Breadon Group
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Auctioneer, Jason Lamoreaux and REF Trustee & Vice Chairperson, Bob Wells
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Cedar Springs Brewing
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Third Nature
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Uccello's
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
REF Trustee & Vice Chairperson, Bob Wells
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
F'nK Tacos
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
The Gilmore
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Sugar Bar
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Herman's Boy
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
The Score
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
