Turn off the TV, put down your smartphone and meet your neighbors at the inaugural Sweet Taste of Dolores, a community get-together on Sept. 16 at Flanders Park.

There will be a variety of homemade breads, cakes candy and cookies, plus coffee, hot chocolate and soda for sale. The Four Corners Community Band will perform for the event, which runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“It is a chance for everyone to get together, socialize and have dessert,” said Dolores Mayor Santiago Lopez.

As part of the event, public officials and business owners will attend and be recognized by an emcee. Residents can get to know their town board members are, local firefighters, artists, school leaders, store owners and other community members.

“A strong community is all about knowing each other and supporting one another, so we thought this was a good way to that,” Lopez said.

Event organizer Ruby Gonzales said the get-together is an opportunity to renew old friendships, and also for newer residents to make connections.

“People have lived here for two or three years, but still don’t know who their fire chief is, or the mayor or who the football coach is,” she said. “A live band and lots of desserts is a good way to draw people out to mingle and relax in the park.”

Businesses around the Flanders Park, including Red Hawk Creations, The Calico mercantile and The Yoga House plan to stay open later for the event.

For more information, contact Ruby Gonzales at 970-882-7717, or Jeanne Scrivner at 970-739-1488.