Vendors to Serve for Charity

If you enjoy sampling good food, listening to live music, checking out muscle cars and helping local charities, then the and the North Paulding Business Network invite you to their first Paulding Cooks for Charity event at the Village Walk Shopping Center on Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

According to Robert Crouse, event coordinator, all vendors at this event will be representing a local Paulding charity organization of their choosing. Attendees can sample a variety of food or play a game at each booth for $1 with all proceeds benefiting that particular vendor’s charity. Crouse said some businesses will not be able to attend and work their booth, but are excited to have representatives from their charity present.

“Each vendor picks their own charity, but if they don’t have a particular charity they are associated with, then we have a list they can pick from,” Crouse said. “The charities provided are charities that benefit children from around Paulding County.”

Everyone that attends the event will be handed a ballot upon entry and booths will be competing for categories such as best taste, side dish, dessert and favorite overall taste. Winners of each category are picked by participants.

Crouse said organizers hope that by doing an event of this magnitude and allowing local businesses to have not only business-to-business contact with other vendors, but to have contact with the public and local residents, it would increase revenue and recognition of what is available in and around Paulding County. It’s also a great way to raise money for local charities in the process, he adds.

“This is the first year we are doing this, but this is combining a business expo like we have done in the past and a charity event together, but with this we can also get a larger audience for businesses that cater to the public,” Crouse said.

Not only will there be food, but will be sponsoring a car show, and there will be live music and entertainment all day. Music will be provided by Brandon Wylie, Jimmy Dean Chotas, Kelsie Archer, Layla Southern, the Backyard Hillbillies and Thunder Pinard.

Booths are still available for purchase until the end of the week for businesses that would like to take part in the event. Game booths are $200 and include a 10-by-10-foot canopy. Single food booths are $250 and include a 10-by-10-foot canopy with a floor and 8-by-8-foot table with a covering. Double food booths are available for $450.

For more information or to purchase a booth, visit www.pauldingba.org, or call 770-655-1573 or 678-224-7175.