News Editor

Feb. 20, 2001 10 PM

The second annual Pike County Chamber of Commerce "Taste of Pike County" and Business Expo is rapidly approaching and local businesses and restaurants are gearing up for the big night.

"Businesses and restaurants are already signing up," said Jenniffer Barner. "The response has been really good and we are expecting a large number of vendors."

So far these businesses have signed up for the "Taste of Pike County" and Business Expo which will be held on March 8: WTBF, Specialty Batteries, Creative Memories, Regions Bank, Troy Cablevision, Lockheed Martin, Goshen Farmers Cooperative, Pike Internal Medicine, Wal-Mart, Southeast Alabama Gas District, Army Aviation Federal Credit Union, TSU Development, First National Bank, Pike County Chamber of Commerce, The Messenger, Hilton Mortgage, Powermaster, Mon-Cre Wireless, Gibson & Carden, Brundidge Business Association, Douglas Brothers, Troy Arts Council, Delta Com, Dr. Potter, Pike Internal Medicine, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, American Heart Association, Pike Area Career Center, First Impressions, Home Gallery, WCOV-TV, Colonial Bank, Manpower, Family Eye Care Center, Light Years Away, Sikorsky, Alltel, Edge Regional Medical Center and Henry Farm Center. Local restaurants aren’t missing out on the opportunity either. As of Tuesday, these restaurants are "getting cooking" for the event: Leroy Hill Coffee, Pepsi-Cola, Red’s Little Schoolhouse, Wal-Mart Deli/Bakery, Garrett’s Café IGA, Curly’s, Buffalo’s, The Bistro, The Pines, Mossy Grove Restaurant, Foodworld, Dominoes Pizza and Whaley Pecan.

In addition to the variety of businesses and restaurants, entertainment will be provided by the Charles Henderson High Jazz Band.

"We are pleased that these businesses are showing an early interest in the event," Barner said. "We hope that other businesses will follow their lead and join in on the fun."

The "Taste of Pike County" and Business Expo is open to both Pike County Chamber of Commerce members and non-members. The booth fee for members is $30 and for non-member $50, with the exception of restaurants. There will be no booth fee for restaurants.

"The ‘Taste of Pike County’ and Business Expo is an easy and inexpensive way for businesses to advertise," said Marsha Gaylard, president of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. "Business and restaurant owners will be surprised by the deals that can be made right here at home. The Expo will also be a fun evening of entertainment, great food and beverages as local restaurants present samples of their most popular menu items."

The "Taste of Pike County" and Business Expo will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the old Wal-Mart in Troy Marketplace.

Registration forms have been mailed to Pike County Chamber of Commerce members and businesses and restaurants that are not members of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce can pick up registration forms at the chamber office.

"We encourage business and restaurant owners to sign up now so we can begin working on the logistics of the Expo," Barner said. "We think locals businesses and restaurants will really benefit from the "Taste of Pike County" and Business Expo. We also encourage the public to attend the Expo and see what all Pike County has to offer.

Tickets for the Expo are $5 in advance and $8 at the door the night of the event. Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, WTBF, from Chamber of Commerce board members, at Troy State University in Adams Administration Building Rooms 254, 256 and 214, Region Banks Downtown Branch and University Branch, Specialty Batteries on S. Brundidge Street, Troy Bank and Trust Main Branch, Army Aviation Federal Credit Union in the Southland Shopping Center, Pike Pioneer Museum, First National Bank of Brundidge, Rue’s Antiques on Main Street in Brundidge, Steed Tire Service on Main Street in Brundidge and Troy City Hall.

For more information about the Expo call the chamber at 566-2294.