This year’s 10th Annual FishHawk Area Networking Group Back to School Festival will be held indoors at the Campo Y on Sunday, August 5, from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free with school supply donation. Last year, more than 400 backpacks were filled, thanks to the event.
This year’s 10th Annual FishHawk Area Networking Group (FANG) Back to School Festival will continue to benefit local needy children with back to school supplies. The event will move indoors this year to the Campo Y gymnasium on Sunday, August 5, 1-4 p.m.
“We know that each year, the heat becomes a factor for our vendors and attendees,” said FANG coordinator Nan Hager. “Moving into the air conditioning at the Y, where the school supplies need to go for the school supply backpack program anyway, is a win-win for us.”
With more than 100 local business booths, samples from 10 restaurants, music, extracurricular demonstrations, free giveaways and door prizes, there is a lot to do.
Admission is free but $10 worth of new school supplies or a $10 cash donation is requested. The supplies will benefit the Y’s migrant children effort. Last year, more than 400 students received supplies as the result of the event.
In addition to food and business booths, Theatre Arts & Dance Alliance (TADA) will emcee the event with sound provided by Pure Power Productions and there will be performances by TADA, Music Showcase and Sidekicks Martial Arts. Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village, Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant, Sno Cones, Kettle Corn and more will provide samples.
“This is one annual event that highlights the summer,” described Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village owner Paul Holmberg. “We have been participants every year and each year, it continues to grow and expand.”
Representatives from FishHawk Sports Complex and area teams will be represented to talk about fall registration requirements.
The event is sponsored by the Tampa Bay Times/Brandon Times, Kids ‘R’ Kids Valrico and Circa FishHawk, CruisePlanners-Sherry Leybovich, Tutoring Club of Valrico and Osprey Observer.
FANG 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.
The Campo Y is located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. Valrico. For more information, visit www.fangconnect.com, call Nan Hager at 657-2418 or e-mail nan@ospreyobserver.com.
