Advance tickets are now available for an annual event that not only showcases the local food service industry, but also raises money for United Way of Mesa County.

The 14th annual Home Loan Taste of the Grand Valley is set for 4 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Two Rivers Convention Center, located at 159 Main St. in downtown Grand Junction.

Advance tickets to the food festival sell for $13 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and $6 for children. Advance tickets are available at City Market and Enstrom Candies locations, Home Loan Insurance and www.ticketswest.com. Tickets also will be sold at the door during the event, but cost $5 more.

A total of 24 exhibitors are scheduled to serve food and beverages samples at the Home Loan Taste of the Grand Valley, including, Alida’s Fruits; Buffalo Wild Wings; Citrolas Italian Grill & Bar; Colorado Legacy Coffee; Costa Vida; Cowboy & the Rose; Dunn-Right Gourmet Beef Jerky; Enstrom Candies; Flavors Grille by Family Health West; Four Winds Coffee & Tea; Girl Scouts of Colorado; Gelu Italian Ice; Mesa County Cattlewomen; Mesa County School District 51; Natural Grocers; Old Chicago; Olive Garden; Sergio’s Steak, Pasta, Seafood; Spoons Bistrro & Bakery; Sprouts Farmer’s Market; The Ribber; Two Rivers Convention Center; Village Inn and Zoup.

The event also will include cooking demonstrations, entertainment and a contest in which participants will vote for their favorite exhibitors.

Participants can enter to win a summer and winter fun package that includes four-day general admission passes to Country Jam and a pair of one-day lift tickets to Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

United Way will sell gift cards for half their values.

The Home Loan Taste of the Grand Valley attracts 1,000 to 1,400 participants. Proceeds from the event add to the fund-raising campaign for United Way of Mesa County. Over the past 13 years, the Home Loan Taste of the Grand Valley has raised a total of more than $329,000.

The goal for the 2015-2016 campaign was set at $1 million.

Money raised in the campaign supports health and human services programs to build strong families, increase self-reliance and promote health. Contributions stay in Mesa County and are allocated each year by local panels that evaluate grant applications.

For more information about the Home Loan Taste of the Grand Valley and United Way of Mesa County call 243-5364 or log on to www.unitedwaymesacounty.org.