Pike County’ March 8

By AMY LANSDON

News Editor

Jan. 11, 2001 10 PM

Something is cooking in Pike County.

It’s the second annual Pike County Chamber of Commerce "Taste of Pike County" and Business Expo, and it’s expected to be bigger and better the last year’s event.

"The ‘Taste of Pike County’ and Business Expo was a tremendous success last year with more than 650 people attending," said Jenniffer Barner, community development director of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. "This year we expected the event to host even more businesses and restaurants, and we expect many more people to attend."

Even though the it won’t be held until March, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and its "Taste of Pike County’ and Business Expo Committee are working to top last year’s event.

Preliminary plans have been made, and the chamber and committee members are already working on the event.

This year in addition to the businesses and restaurants, there will be an another incentive for restaurants participate. The chamber has decided through the "Taste of Pike County, one restaurant will be selected as "the best in Pike County."

"It will be like a People’s Choice award," Barner said. "We will use a ballot process and people will vote on who has the best food at the expo. It’s a good opportunity for restaurants to showcase their food and show off their culinary talents. We want people to leave the expo saying you’ve got to go to this ‘restaurant’ and try their ‘salad or sandwich.’"

This year 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 will be mailed to Pike County Chamber of Commerce members the first week of February. Businesses and restaurants that are not members of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce can pick up registration forms at the chamber office.

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