Punkin Chunkin Family Friendly Fall Fest (Nov. 1) at Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill

Halloween continues for the Greater Brandon community with the Punkin Chunkin 2012 Family Friendly Fall Fest scheduled for tonight, Nov. 1, at Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill on East Adamo Drive.

With live music by N-Kahootz and a bouncy house and activities for children, the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce event features as well "food, fun and prizes" and a "business showcase with giveaways." Also on tap is an opportunity for girls in kindergarten through 12th grade to sign up for Girl Scouts.

What to do with your soon-to-be-rotting pumpkin? Bring it to Uncle Mike's and "Chunk It" for charity. Proceeds from the purchase and chunkin' of pumpkins are earmarked to benefit Operation Patriot Inc., founded on Sept. 14, 2001 "as a 'thank you' for those who protect us."

The associated Operation Patriot Foundation Inc. is "a grassroots organization comprised of volunteers from fire departments, police departments, military veterans local professionals."

Tonight's event is a joint offering of two area councils of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce: the Winthrop/Bloomingdale Area Business Council and the FishHawk/Lithia/Boyette Area Business Council.

The Punkin Chunkin 2012 Family Friendly Fall Fest runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill in the Greater Brandon area of Tampa. The address is 9847 East Adamo Drive. (Uncle Mike's is inside Old Town Brandon Harley-Davidson off State Road 60.)

For information, call the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce at 813-689-1221. Call Uncle Mike's at 813-644-6888.