The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce is having its 20th annual Taste of New Tampa March 24, and it's making sure this milestone celebration is bigger and better than ever.

"It's shaping up to be a much bigger, flashier event than previous years," said Jayne Baker, the chamber's executive director. There will be a Battle of the Bands in which four bands will compete on stage for a $500 grand prize, said Regina Ramalheira, chamber president. The headline band is Big Brother. Also, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn will be speaking to the crowd. The Tampa Bay Lightning Girls and the ThunderBug will be visiting, too. And the event will last even longer than usual—noon-6 p.m. instead of 1-4 p.m.

The Taste of New Tampa will take place at Primrose School of Tampa Palms, which will have volunteers acting as clowns and painting faces at the Kid's Area. Of course, the main draw of the event is the opportunity to sample cuisine from local restaurants and enjoy the local Business & Health Expo. Baker said a good balance of about 45 businesses and restaurants have signed on to participate, and that list continues to grow daily.

"I think it's going to be very versatile," she said of the participant representation. She said Whole Foods, Spa Moritz, Massage Envy, PROtetial Sports, the New Tampa YMCA, law firms, sushi restaurants and frozen treat eateries are just some of the participants this year. Restaurants will compete in "Best in Taste." There will also be a beer garden.

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Wristbands are required for entry into the event and cost $5 in advance or $10 at the event, Ramalheira said. They are available in advance at the following locations:

BB&T Bank, 17502 Dona Michelle Blvd., 813-494-2047

Cafe Ole, 10020 Cross Creek Blvd., 813-907-5242

Full Circle Pizza & Grill, 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., 813-994-3700

Neighborhood News, 15345 Amberly Drive, 813-910-2575

Oakley's Grille, 17631 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., 813-523-5075

Primrose School Tampa Palms, 5307 Primrose Lake Circle, 813-975-4000

RE/MAX, 17010 Palm Pointe Drive, 813-994-0909 Wristbands are also available online. In order to taste food and beverages, attendees will need Taste Tickets, which cost $1 each and are also available online.