Vendors Invited to Participate in Annual Back-to-School Festival

It may only be July, but it's not too early to start planning for the new school year.

At least, that's the philosophy of the FishHawk Area Networking Group, which is making plans for its ninth annual Back-to-School Festival Saturday, July 23.

This year’s festival will benefit local needy children by providing school supplies.

This year's festival will feature more than 100 local business booths, samples from 10 restaurants, music, demonstrations, exhibits from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, giveaways and door prizes.

The festival is scheduled will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the FishHawk Youth Sports Complex on FishHawk Boulevard. Admission is free but $10 worth of new school supplies or a $10 cash donation is requested to benefit the YMCA's project to provide school supplies to the children of migrant farmworkers. Last year, more than 400 students received supplies as a result of the event.

In addition to food and business booths, the Theatre Arts & Dance Alliance emcee the event with the sound system provided by Pure Power Productions and performances from TADA, Music Showcase and Sidekicks Martial Arts.

There will be family-friendly games and activities. Chick-fil-A of Lake Brandon Village, Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant and Sno Cones, Kettle Corn will provide samples.

“This is one annual event that highlights the summer,” said Chick-fil-A-Lake Brandon Village owner Paul Holmberg. “We have been participants every year and, each year, it continues to grow and expand.”

Also on hand will be representatives from all of the sports complex teams to talk about the fall registration requirements.

The event is sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times/Brandon Times, Kids ‘R’ Kids Valrico and and Circa FishHawk, RobZ Fitness, Morningstar Electric, CruisePlanners, Brandon Regional Hospital and the Osprey Observer.

For more information, visit www.fangconnect.com, call Nan Hager at 813-657-2418 or e-mail nan@ospreyobserver.com.

FANG, FishHawk Area Networking Group is an organization of more than 100 local business owners who meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Club in FishHawk Ranch to network, do community service and host events promoting local businesses. For more information, stop by any meeting or contact Nan Hager.