For the first time ever, the Haralson County Chamber of Commerce will hold an expo aimed at promoting a way of life rather than a business industry when it hosts the Team Haralson Live Local Expo on Oct. 11 at Sewell Mill in Bremen.

Unlike most expos that encourage a group of businesses and their possible customers to attend, the Live Local Expo is encouraging all business owners, whether they have reserved a booth or not, and all residents to attend.

“The purpose of this expo is to showcase what we have here locally, in both businesses and non-profits,” said Haralson County Chamber of Commerce President Jennie English. “We want to get the message out that it’s important to know what’s here and support what’s here.”

Of course, you may be asking why it is important to know what’s here in Haralson County. English has an answer for that.

“Our community depends on supporting local business, and to support local businesses you have to know what’s here,” English said. “Local businesses create jobs and wealth in a community, and they support the local community.”

English says this expo is more about changing mind sets, encouraging people to think differently about how they shop and how they go about their daily routine.

“It’s important to buy local, but living local is a mind set,” English said. “People need to start thinking about how local businesses, jobs, schools, non-profit organizations are all interconnected.”

A wide range of local businesses and non-profits are expected to attend the event, such as Pioneer Ford, Higgins General Hospital, Mill Town Music Hall, Nova Creations, No Longer Bound, Walgreens, Perfect Image Mobile Detailing, Allan’s Florist, West Georgia Technical College, and much more. Organizers say 37 vendors will be set up inside Sewell Mill, while there is space for roughly 10 outside. Most of those spots have been reserved, but a few are still up for grabs.

There will also be periodic entertainment throughout the day, with a surprise performance to kickoff the event. The event, which lasts from 4 to 7 p.m., will also be catered, offering free food to guests, and have door prizes.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” English says. “People always ask, ‘What can I do to help local businesses? Well here is something very specific: Come to the expo, visit the booths and really see what Haralson County has to offer.”

Of course, the expo isn’t just an opportunity for shoppers, it’s an opportunity for businesses as well – even those who won’t have a booth at the event.

“We strongly encourage everyone to come out,” English says. “This is a great opportunity for businesses to come and network with each other.”

For more information about the expo, call the Chamber at 770-574-5594.