Rock Around The Clock With The Chamber

The spotlight is on area businesses and organizations this weekend as the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce opens its 21st annual expo Friday night at 4 p.m.

“This is the place to be,” said Kathy Dunkley, the chamber’s executive director. “This is your neighborhood, these are your businesses. What a better way to meet all of our businesses from the local community?”

The expo is a two-day event that features about 100 local organizations and businesses that serve the Central Pasco area. During the festivities, the gym at the is transformed into a display floor where visitors can stop by booths to learn more about the companies that serve the area.

On Saturday, the annual Taste of the Town takes place along with the expo. For the cost of $1 tickets, visitors can enjoy a sampling of foods from local restaurants. Participants this year include Pizza Villa, Publix and Hungry Harry’s and more, Dunkley said.

“It’s rain or shine,” Dunkley said. “The Taste of the Town can be moved inside.” When it is, “it’s a blast,” she added.

While food samples are meant only to be a taste, Dunkley said many area restaurants go above and beyond on that score.

“I know it’s a taste, but Land O’ Lakes gives a heaping taste.”

Proceeds from the taste benefit the chamber’s scholarship fund.

Chamber president Gary Williams and Dunkley both say the expo is a fun event.

“Join us on Friday and Saturday,” Williams said. “(It’s) great food.”

Visitors even have a chance to win a $1,000 savings bond. To be included in the drawing, all visitors need to do is stop by expo booths that have clock pictures hanging in their displays. Representatives at those booths will sign an entry form on behalf of their visitors. Completed forms can be entered for a chance to win the drawing.

Door prizes and other giveaways are also planned.

“You’d be amazed at what people give away,” Dunkley said. “There’s a lot going on.”

The expo takes place Friday, March 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Pky. For more information, visit centralpascochamber.com or call 813-909-2722.