business, food expo

By BRIAN BLACKLEY

Managing Editor

March 8, 2000 10 PM

A wave of community interest has proved to make the Pike County Chamber of Commerce’s "Taste of Pike County" Food and Business Expo a smashing success.

By noon Wednesday, 450 tickets had been sold and 63 businesses partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to participate.

"We are ecstatic about the level of participation we have had this year," said Pike County Chamber of Commerce President Marsha Gaylard. "It has exceeded our expectations and we appreciate the support of members of the community and the businesses affiliated with the Chamber."

The Expo, to be held in Troy Marketplace in the old Wal-Mart location, is possible through the donation of space by Wal-Mart.

"They were kind enough to allow us to use the building and even sent a crew to clean it up," said Jenniffer Barner of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. "Their contributions and the willingness by other businesses to participate really have made this work out well for us and for the community."

Gaylard hopes the event will showcase businesses in Pike County and will give those in attendance a small dose of what Pike County has to offer.

"Many of our area restaurants are participating with food samples, and numerous other businesses will be set up as well," Gaylard said. "We are greatly encouraged by the numerous diverse businesses that are participating."

Planning the event proved labor-intensive for Chamber staffers, but Gaylard commended Chamber employees for the organization and hard work.

"Jennifer Barner and Holly Stoltze really came through with this," Gaylard said. "They worked very hard to make this a success, and selling 450 advance tickets and getting 63 vendors on board shows that what they did paid off."

Advance tickets are $5. Tickets at the door will be $8.

The Expo begins at 6 p.m., Gaylard said and tickets will be available at the Wal-Mart where Chamber employees will be setting up until the event begins.

"We will offer tickets for $5 until then," Gaylard said, "but at 6 p.m., they will go up to $8."