Diners selected taste treats offered by 31 restaurants.

Dracut Rotary’s Dining Around Dracut was a huge success,according to DRC’s president Chuck Moran. Nearly 500 attended the event, the club’s major annual fundraiser, held March 5th at Lenzi’s, 810 Merrimack Avenue in Dracut. Thirty-one restaurants participated, offering guests tasty treats to sample during the two hour celebration. The “diners” chose their favorites in four categories. Taking home bragging rights for “Best Appetizer” was Not Your Average Joe’s in Methuen. “Best Entrée” went to Brothers Sports Bar & Grille. Two Chefs Are Better Than One took two awards… “Best Dessert” and “Best Presentation”.

Again this year, tickets for Dining Around Dracut were $20 if purchased in advance. They were available at six locations in Dracut. Tickets were also available online with eventbrite.com.You could still get tickets at the door for $25. “The majority of our guests bought their tickets in advance,” said Dining Around Dracut chair, Lee Ouellette.

Also new this year was expansion of the venue to include Lenzi’s front function room. “This is where we had our dozens of gift baskets,” said Ouellette. “They were on display throughout the evening.” Patrons agreed this was a plus. According to one gentleman who attended last year’s Dining Around Dracut, the layout gave people time to check out the baskets and gifts. It paid off too, according to raffle chairs Jessica Silva and Dot Amborsini The Club sold twice as many raffle tickets as the year before. The room was set up with tables and chairs as well, giving guests a spot to enjoy some food offerings, before returning to the banquet hall to try something new.

In addition, an admission ticket was a chance to win this year’s door prize, generously donated by Lynette Duggan. One of the evening’s diners walked away with a flat screen television. The door prize, raffle prizes and delicious fare from 31 of Greater Lowell’s restaurants and caterers kept Dining Around Dracut hopping and guests happy. As they left, many in the crowd thanked the Rotarians for hosting the event and said they would be back next year.