Get a Taste of Brandon at Florida State Fairgrounds Today (May 16)

The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce has been busy promoting its signature event, which this year celebrates its 25th year. The Brandon Business Expo and Taste of Brandon is scheduled for today, May 16, at the Florida State Fairgrounds, from 3:30 to 8 p.m.

Recognizing the quarter-century milestone, chamber officials have beeen posting blogs on its Web site , including one that takes a look back at the "big hair" and "shoulder pads" that were all the rage when the event in 1989 "welcomed its very first guests through the doors of the Sheraton Tampa East Hotel.

The retrospective blog includes archived photographs "from the very first expo," including one that features Vincent Ferraro, of Ferraro, Higginbotham & Hayes, P.A., C.P.A.'s, who said, "I can just imagine," when asked if he remembered his look that night.

"It turns out it wasn't so bad," notes the blog entry by Justin Kropff. "Not bad at all really. Dark suit, red tie. He'd later say that this was probably around the time he started ditching ties for work."

Also posted by the chamber is a video of the 2012 Brandon Business Expo and Taste of Brandon, uploaded here as well to give Patch readers a taste of what to expect at the fairgrounds today.

Tickets cost $15 at the door, $10 in advance. There is a $5 parking fee at the fairgrounds. You can order tickets online. The chamber headquarters is on Pauls Drive.