The Valparaiso Chapter of Tri Kappa was formed by 12 ‘girls’ on February 3, 1903. With a mission of promoting charity, education, and culture, members took on service projects like helping needy families with groceries and coal in the twenties, or fundraisers like selling Red Cross stamps in 1915. Eventually, our membership grew and our aspirations for helping did too. In 1958, Tri Kappas held their first local Scholarship Buffet at the local Moose Lodge. Members made and served fried chicken. In 1991 the Scholarship Buffet evolved into the first annual Taste of Valparaiso fundraiser. It was held at Butterfield Pavilion with local restaurants providing tastes of entrees and Tri Kappas serving homemade desserts.

For many years now, the Porter County Expo has housed the Taste of Valparaiso. Dozens of local restaurants donate samples of their food and we sell tickets for entry, raffles, and host a tempting silent auction. All these facets help fund the next year of good works through community grants, college scholarships, support of local initiatives such as preschool vision screening for Amblyopia and over 20 years of annual presentations from Holocaust survivor, Eva Mozes Kor.

Originally scheduled for May 21st, the 30th Annual Taste of Valparaiso has been canceled. Please support our local restaurants and small businesses as best you can during this period of Social Distancing.