The “Taste of Rockwall & Business Expo” held its 19th anniversary on Thursday, April 19, 2012 and the event offered a wide variety of Rockwall’s best restaurants and businesses.
Like the city itself, the Business Expo and Taste of Rockwall has grown each year with continued success. The Rockwall Area Chamber stages the event to help build community connections. The large, steady crowd enthused about the great food and number of business booths which pleased the organizers of the popular 19 year old affair.
“We are impressed with the outcome of the Taste of Rockwall this year;” said Chamber President Dana Macalik, “and our attendance numbers reflect the enthusiasm of our event.”
This year 35 restaurants participated; serving up a lot of wonderful dishes. There was fierce competition for the “Best of the Taste of Rockwall” award. This year, the #1 People’s Choice Restaurant Award was presented to India Garden. Congratulations to India Garden and also to the runner-up Chilosos Mexican Bistro and all the other participating establishments for setting such high standards in their food presentation and display! Votes were tallied and the award was presented at 8:30 p.m. as the event drew to a close.
Sylvia Kidd was our Grand Prize Raffle winner this year. She won a Staycation for 2 at the Hilton Bella Harbor, which included a breakfast, dinner for 2 at Glorias, a cruise for 2 on the Seawolf and a fantastic wine backpack and bottle of wine donated by KE Cellars.
There were 65 area businesses and twelve non-profit organizations participating this year as well as a nice outdoor display of cars from the Randall Noe Auto Group and Toyota of Rockwall. The Rockwall Jazz Band entertained the crowds throughout the evening as well as DJ Greg LaRosa from Black Tie Entertainment.
This event has always been well-attended in the past and this year’s crowds seemed very enthusiastic about what the Rockwall businesses had to offer. This is such a great way for business and community to come together. Chamber President Dana Macalik stated that the event would not be possible or run as smoothly and successfully without the help of so many volunteers, from the Chamber Ambassador Group and Board of Directors to the banks and other organizations that sold tickets as well as the RISD crew and custodians who prepare the facility and then clean up after the event closes and also the Boy Scouts from Troop 314 who kept the eating area clean during the evening. Thank you all – we just couldn’t do it without you!
Now the work begins on the Chamber’s Rockwall Open Golf Tournament which will be held on July 13th at The Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club, formerly The Shores Country Club. So mark your calendars – this is going to be a great event as the Chamber hosts the club’s inaugural golf tournament. Please check the Rockwall Chamber website, www.rockwallchamer.org for details on this upcoming event or contact Paula Kerr at 214-991-5733 to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Paula Kerr
Events/Public Relations Manager
