FANG Hosts Eighth Back To School Festival
By Marie Gilmore

This year’s eighth annual FishHawk Area Networking Group Back to School Festival will benefit local needy children with back to school supplies. With more than 100 local business booths, samples from 10 restaurants, music, extracurricular demonstrations, exhibits from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, free giveaways, door prizes, there is lots to do.
The Back to School Festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 24, 9 a.m.-12 Noon at the FishHawk Youth Sports Complex on FishHawk Blvd. Admission is free but $10 worth of new school supplies or a $10 cash donation is requested that will benefit the YMCA migrant children effort. Last year, more than 400 students received supplies from the result of the event.
In addition to food and business booths, Theatre Arts & Dance Alliance (TADA) will MC the event with sound system provided by Pure Power Productions and performances from TADA, Music Showcase and Sidekicks Martial Arts. There will be family-friendly games and activities. Chick-fil-A, Lake Brandon Village, Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant and Sno Cones, Kettle Corn and more will provide samples.
“This is one annual event that highlights the summer,” described Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village owner Paul Holmberg. “We have been participants every year for eight years and each year, it continues to grow and expand.”
In addition to food, event and business booths, representatives from all the sports complex teams will be represented to talk about fall registration requirement.
The event is sponsored by the St. Pete Times/Brandon Times, Kids ‘R’ Kids Valrico and Circa FishHawk, CruisePlanners, Brandon Regional Hospital and Osprey Observer.
For more information, visit www.fangconnect.com, call Denise Graf at 813-643-0730 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
FANG, FishHawk Area Networking Group is an organization of more than 100 local business owners who meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Club in FishHawk Ranch to network, do community service and host events promoting local businesses. For more information, stop by any meeting or contact Denise Graf.

Photo Caption: FishHawk resident Troy Gilmore, 4, poses with the ‘YMCA’ during the last FANG Back to School Festival. This year’s 8th annual family fest will be Saturday, July 24, 9 a.m.-12 noon.

Photo 2: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office will bring its bomb disposal robot to the 8th Annual FANG Back to School Festival on Saturday, July 24, 9 a.m.-12 noon. FishHawk residents Cross Gilmore, 8, and his brother Troy, 4, were impressed with the demonstration at last year’s fest.