The fourth annual Pike County Chamber of Commerce "Taste of Pike County" Food and Business Expo is rapidly approaching and local businesses and restaurants are getting ready for the big night!

Businesses, restaurant owners and citizens will be surprised at 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 sample their most popular menu items. The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 6, in the Troy Martketplace old Wal-Mart building.

The Chamber has lots of reasons to continue to host the "Taste of Pike County" and among those reasons one of the most important is to showcase what is available to the consumer right here in Pike County. Shopping at home is critical for businesses to stay afloat, and is vital to keeping the community prosperous. Shopping at home has an impact on the tax structure and services in Pike County. We encourage people to try and find something in town before going out of town to buy. We often hear people who want to know why there aren't more amenities in Pike County, like more recreational activities. By not supporting local businesses to help create a stronger tax base Pike County is not able to have more.

The "Taste of Pike County" is certainly about showing to the public what can be found right here at home but it is also a great way to catch up with those friends and neighbors you haven't seen in a while. In the past two years there has been just as much socializing as networking and that is part of living in an area like Pike County and attending events such as this. You know most everyone and those you don't you can meet. There is a little something for everyone and even if you think you have seen or tried every treasure there is to find in Pike County, history has shown that people who have lived here all their lives have come to the expo and discovered something new.

There has been a lot of talk after the past expo events that some businesses and citizens may have missed out on the fun and the great inexpensive PR, here is the opportunity to sign your business up or buy those tickets. The "Taste of Pike County" and Food 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-members $50, with the exception of restaurants. There will be no booth fee for restaurants since they will have their menu items for all to sample.

Tickets will be on sale in area businesses by the beginning of February. Look for a list of these places in upcoming news stories about the "Taste of Pike County" and tickets will be available at the door the night of the event for a slightly higher price.

Everyone is invited to come out and familiarize himself or herself with everything Pike County has to offer.