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County line doesn't stop eaters
By MICHAEL VAN SICKLER WESLEY CHAPEL -- Despite shifting into Pasco County for the second time since it began in 1994, the Taste of New Tampa & Business Expo drew record crowds Sunday. The more than 6,000 people who attended were further proof that the suburban developments springing up along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard are merging into a community, regardless of the county line that divides them, organizers said. "I was a little concerned we wouldn't draw as many as last year by having it here in Wesley Chapel," said Matt Palmer, treasurer of the New Tampa Community Council. "But we're going to draw more than last year. That just goes to show that New Tampa includes both Hillsborough and Pasco counties." The 10th culinary bazaar was held near the clubhouse of the Seven Oaks development, which is being built a half-mile north of the Hillsborough-Pasco county line. Menu items from 37 restaurants included gator chili, chocolate-covered strawberries and teriyaki chicken. Long lines formed at the beer truck. "This is a nice way to get out in the fresh outdoors," said Jeff Hankins of Tampa Palms before being handed a foamy Michelob. "It's great to see everybody out in a single community, which we don't see a lot of here." Businesses paid $225 for booths, and about 70 of them had nothing to do with food. Instead, they offered medical services, mortgages and home repair products. "I can't think of another place on a Sunday that would give me as many homeowners who would go through my literature as this place here," said Dennis Higgins, owner of WadeCo Osa, a flooring company. "If this crowd keeps up, this will be a home run." Residents such as Tiffany Hodge, who lives in the Andover Apartments in Tampa Palms, said Sunday's festival was a great way to spend the day. "I'm looking to buy a house, so it's been real helpful," Hodge said. 'If you're going to come out here, you might as well read all the information that's available. This is a great place to get to know what's going on in the neighborhood.' Those attending paid $10 per person or $30 for a carload of up to six people. The money will be donated to the New Tampa Community Council's scholarship fund, which provides graduates from New Tampa public schools with full-tuition scholarships to Hillsborough Community College, as well as to other nonprofit groups and PTAs for 15 public schools in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.
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