Many may not envision large garage doors and murals of bald eagles and Harley Davidson logos mixing with smooth jazz and wine glasses, but the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce sees it as a match made in culinary heaven.

The Chamber will host its third-annual Taste of Shelby County event at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 in the HOG chapter room of the Heart of Dixie Harley Davidson dealership in Pelham.

The event will feature more than 20 local vendors offering their culinary specialties to those in attendance. The $35 ticket fee will cover a plethora of food samplings and a complimentary wine glass.

“The Harley dealership has a facility behind it called the HOG Room. It’s really a fabulous facility for what we are looking to do,” said Chamber President Jennifer Trammell. “Because we will have the large garage door bays, we will be able to bring in more vendors with large grills than we have in the past.”

Money raised during the event will benefit the Greater Shelby Education Foundation, which sponsors teacher grants, the Teacher of the Year reception, the Teacher Internship Program and many other projects each year.

All money raised for the Education Foundation is badly needed throughout the county, Trammell said.

“The Greater Shelby County Education Foundation is a tremendous support for Shelby County schools, especially in times where there’s just not enough money to fund all the projects, supplies and items needed at our schools,” she said.

“We have the best school system in the state, and the Greater Shelby County Education Foundation continues to grow to be an even more vital part of the education process,” Trammell added.

The Chamber hosted the first two Taste of Shelby County events at Jefferson State Community College and the Lee Branch shopping center, respectively, and each year event organizers have been left looking for larger venues.

“We have outgrown our other two spaces, so we were looking for a larger location this year,” Trammell said. “All of the past venues have been great partners, but this year we will have a lot more room.

“We think having it at the Harley dealership will add a unique twist to it,” she added.

To purchase tickets for the event, call the Chamber at 663-4542 or visit the chamber at 1301 County Services Drive in Pelham.