Local businesses are busy getting ready for the 18th annual Brownwood Business Showcase that will take place on Thursday at the Brownwood Coliseum.

This year, 68 businesses in various lines of trade will be set up at the exhibitor style show.  Many will offer information on their business, free giveaways, and chances to win prizes.

Those who participate in the “bingo” game may enter to win one of the grand door prizes – a Brinkman grill or patio set.

The show will open at 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 6th at the Brownwood Coliseum and will feature well known, established businesses as well as some of the newest in the Brownwood area. Admission is only $2 per person, and the first 500 visitors will receive a tote bag.

One feature of the showcase will be at the Brownwood Reunion Celebration booth where concert tickets will be on sale for $10 each to see Rick Springfield and Wade Bowen in concert on September 14 & 15th.  The sale price is only good during the showcase.

For the 6th year, the “Taste of Brownwood” returns to the showcase to offer the community an opportunity to sample favorite recipes from local restaurants, caterers and bakeries. From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, showcase visitors can visit restaurant row and sample tasty treats from local restaurants. Taste of Brownwood sample tickets are $2 for your first 4 tickets (included with paid admission) and $1 each for additional tickets after that.

The 2012 Business Showcase Gold Sponsors are Songbird Lodge and Citizens National Bank; Silver Sponsors are Kroger and KTAB.  The 6th Annual Taste of Brownwood is presented by Sodexo Campus Services.

Pictured at top is Daniel Hutson from the West Central Texas Council of Governments Council Finance office in Brownwood setting up his booth on Wednesday.