SALEM — Tickets for the 2025 Downtown Dining Experience sponsored by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce are on sale now, according to a press release.

This year’s event is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16 and will feature offerings from 14 businesses across 13 locations downtown. Tickets for this year’s event are $45 and can be purchased in person at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office at 210 E. State St. until 4 p.m. Sept. 16. Participants will visit participating businesses in groups of 15 to 20 people in 15-minute increments and enjoy samples of popular menu items, and will receive a program highlighting the menu from the business with a QR code to vote for their favorite restaurant in six categories including: best presentation, best savory, best sweet, favorite food, favorite stop, and most unusual.

As always, proceeds from the event will support the United Way and its vital outreach and support services like its 24-hour crisis line, emergency 30- to 60-day shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children, case management, legal advocacy and court accompaniment, emergency financial assistance, on-site counseling, and outreach and education to schools, churches, and service clubs. Since the Downtown Dining Experience’s inception in 2017, the annual event has raised over $35,000 for the United Way of Northern Columbiana County agencies.

“We very much appreciate the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce sponsoring Downtown Dining to benefit United Way. This annual event is much anticipated by our supporters as they enjoy an evening of great food from Salem’s finest restaurants and fellowship among friends,” said United Way Executive Director George W.S. Hays.

All participants must fill out and turn in their ticket stub to the chamber office by 8 p.m. Sept. 16 to be entered for a chance to win a 14-karat white gold necklace by Gottlieb & Sons, which holds a pendant with two bezel set diamonds and a pave set diamond circle which rotates with a total diamond weight of .44tcw, which has been generously donated by Salem’s own Troll’s Jewelry, which “has been serving Salem for over 86 years and is a long-standing member of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce” and remains family owned and locally operated.

“United Way is truly grateful to Troll’s Jewelry for donating a piece of diamond jewelry each year to Downtown Dining. Seeing joy on the winner’s face is a highlight of the event. This year’s necklace is stunning, and we thank Troll’s for their participation,” said Hays.

Troll’s Jewelry will have special extended hours during the Downtown Dining Experience for ticket holders to shop at 581 E. State St.

As in years past there will also be raffle tickets available for purchase at each stop during the event for a chance to win cash prizes donated by the United Way Agencies. This will also be the third year that the city’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) will be in effect for the event meaning that participants will be able to legally walk around within the designated area, which includes most of downtown, with alcoholic beverages purchased from participating businesses in special DORA cups.

This year’s event includes several returning favorites including Jalisco’s in the chamber office, Heggy’s Confectionary, Ezio’s Italian Restaurant, Kast Iron Soda Works who will also be hosting Affordable Catering, BB Rooners, Coaches Burger Bar, LiBs Market, Mike’s Penn Grille, Ricky’s English Pub, and Salty Mama’s Snacking Boards in Troll’s Jewelry as well as downtown businesses participating for the first time like the OG, and Totally 80s Ice Cream.

The annual downtown dining experience will “help kick off the United Way’s 2026 campaign” with funds raised by the event set to be distributed to the following United Way of Northern Columbiana County agencies: A.I.D. (Action, Information, Direction) Inc., Scouting America – Buckeye Council, Camp Fire Tayanoka, Catholic Charities Regional Agency, Columbiana Meals On Wheels, Family & Community Services of Columbiana County Inc., the Family Recovery Center, Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, Help Network of Northeast Ohio, Project MKC, the Quota Club of Salem Inc., Salem Area Speech and Hearing Clinic, R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), the Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association, the Salem Memorial Building, and Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley.

“We are proud to be a supporter of United Way of Northern Columbiana County. What a wonderful fundraiser this will be, connecting ticketholders with Chamber members, enjoying all the amazing dining options, shopping at downtown businesses, and chances to win prizes along the way. We would like to thank all the restaurants and businesses for their willingness to participate and for giving their time for such a great cause. Looking forward to a fun evening,” said Salem Chamber Area of Commerce Executive Director Alicia Johnston.