By Marie Gilmore
The Valencia Lakes Little Manatee Fishing Club, based out of the Valencia Lakes home community, will hold the Fourth Annual Valencia Lakes Little Manatee Home and Outdoor Exposition on Saturday, January 19, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The proceeds of the expo will go towards various environmental efforts, charitable causes, children’s fishing clubs and more.
“The fishing club is made up of people 55 and older from around the community,” said club president Abbie Israel. “We decided to do something like this so we could help environmentally and in other ways.”
Last year, the expo had more than 80 vendors represented. The Valencia Lakes social hall turns in to an area for all types of vendors to display products and services. Visitors will see vendors from almost every area of life. Everything from home improvement, golf, fishing, food services, and more will be represented by vendors at the expo.
At last year’s expo, about $13,000 was raised for projects the club had planned. The main projects from last year’s proceeds went to a fish stocking effort in local lakes and ponds and a scholarship to a local student.
“We are a club to serve anglers needs and the community’s needs,” said Israel.
Nearly 3,400 people attended last year’s expo and this year the club is expecting more. There will free raffles prizes and a flat screen television given away to some lucky attendees.
The Valencia Lakes Little Manatee Fishing Club has been around for five years, and in that time it has given back to the community and the environment. The club continues to grow.
The expo will be held at the Valencia Lakes Clubhouse on Saturday, January 19, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. It is open to the public and a limited number of vendor spaces are still available. Call 938-4864 for details. Valencia Lakes is located off U.S. Hwy. 301, just north of S.R. 674.
