Expo Highlights Apollo Beach Area Businesses

More than 100 businesses and other organizations will be showcased Thursday at the MiraBay Villages Shopping Center.

Participants in the Second Annual Shop Ruskin Chamber First Business Expo will be on hand to promote their products and services from 4 to 8 p.m. at Harbor Village Lane and U.S. 41, next to the new Sweetbay Supermarket.

"We do this to show the community the resources they have around them - the many goods and services that Ruskin chamber members have to offer," said Melanie Morrison, the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce's executive director. "It also promotes our 'shop local' campaign."

Last year, about 1,000 people attended the free event, Morrison said.

Among the 80 or so businesses will be eight food vendors offering free tastes of what Morrison called the "local flavors of South Shore." These will include S&S Tacos, Sa Vá Cafe, East Coast Pizza, Five Guys Burger & Fries, Vocelli's Pizza, Just Brew It and Sandy Buns.

Free health screenings will be offered, and a bloodmobile will be stationed on site.

Bring the kids along, because there will be plenty of things to occupy their time: a jumbo movie screen and children's movie, Jumbo the Clown, balloon art, face painting and magic shows.

For the young at heart, the Roamin' Oldies will have a number of vintage and classic vehicles on display.

Each visitor will receive a "passport" with 15 vendors listed inside. Once the passport is validated by representatives of all 15, the passport can be filled out and entered into a drawing for a $250 Sweetbay shopping spree. Entrants need not be present to win. The winner will be contacted Friday.

Other prizes and giveaways will be featured.

"My hope is that people will come and leave with more awareness of all that the South Shore business community has to offer," Morrison said. "And, of course, that they had a really good time."

The Tampa Tribune is among sponsors of the event.