The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce introduces the inaugural Expo Beer Garden & Food Truck Fest at SCV Community Expo on Sunday, Sept. 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex. The Sports Complex is located at 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway near the intersection of Golden Valley Road with access via the cross-valley connector.

The Beer Garden features a mix of familiar, novel and specialty beer brands available for purchase, along with food from various gourmet food truck vendors. Anheuser-Busch will provide key components of the beer garden, including a 26-foot refrigerated trailer to keep the brews perfectly chilled. Selected brews are scheduled to include Budweiser, Bud Light, Shock Top, Redhook Longhammer, and Stella Artois, and Shock Top Pumpkin as a seasonal beer.

Admittance to the Beer Garden requires an event wristband available for $3; must be ages 21 or over. There’s no charge for access to food trucks or exhibit halls.

Live entertainment on the community stage gets the party going starting with Santa Clarita-based, classic rock, pop, and R&B band, Blue Sky. Performing in the big band jazz genre, the 20-piece ensemble group The Damn Handsome Band takes center stage in the afternoon with its brass sounds.

The Expo Beer Garden and Food Truck Fest is just one event planned to draw thousands of local residents to the Sports Complex on Sept. 16, 17 and 18. The SCV Chamber of Commerce in association with the City of Santa Clarita presents the 27th Annual SCV Community Expo (also known as the Home and Business Expo) and Taste of Expo! celebration.

The SCV Community Expo spans two exhibit halls and an outdoor exhibit area at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex occupying the Activities Center, Gymnasium and adjacent parking lots. More than 100 exhibitors representing Santa Clarita Valley businesses will be showcased at Expo, many with raffles and giveaways throughout the weekend. In addition, a Nonprofit Arena will provide quality face-time for area nonprofit organizations.

The celebration begins Friday, Sept. 16 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. with Taste of Expo!, Santa Clarita’s largest business mixer and networking event, featuring up to 30 of the area’s finest restaurants and caterers.

In a return engagement, Photo Touch Booth will be on hand to provide complimentary commemorative photos. Exhibit halls will be open and live entertainment on the outdoor stage. Cost for admission is $20 and includes 10 food and drink tickets. Additional tickets are available for purchase. Advance tickets will be sold at the Chamber office located at 27451 Tourney Road, Suite 160 in Valencia or available at the door the night of the event.

Only at Expo! continues Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. providing for a non-stop weekend of fun and excitement. Saturday features games provided by Mad Dog Party, activities and entertainment geared toward Santa Clarita families.

Information related to entry, middle and upper level opportunities will be available at the College of the Canyons Fall 2011 Job, Career and Intern Fair on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Free flu shots for senior citizens and qualified caregivers will be available on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., administered by medical staff courtesy of Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital . To receive a free flu shot, adults must meet one of the following guidelines: age 65 years or older; adults age 18 and older with a long-term health problem, weakened immune system, or muscle or nerve disorder; adults who live with or care for people at high risk for influenza-related complications. Flu shots will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free admission to the Expo Saturday and Sunday, free parking, and complimentary shuttle service from expanded parking areas make SCV Community Expo the place to be.

Whether browsing the exhibit halls, meeting local business representatives, searching for tchotchkes and giveaways, or enjoying food, drink and entertainment, attendees are encouraged to explore and experience all aspects of this signature Chamber event.

Expo wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of sponsors: American Business Machines, Walmart, Westfield Valencia Town Center, Legacy Christian Academy, Northeast Valley Health Corporation, Scratch Golf, CaMu Financial & Insurance Services, Santa Clarita Concessions, La Quinta Inn and Suites, Vino 100, American Family Funding, AV Party Rentals, Mathnasium of Valencia, and Point of View Communications.

Special thanks to Expo partners, including the City of Santa Clarita, College of the Canyons, Galpin Motors Santa Clarita, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, LARC Ranch, Mad Dog’s Gamers Paradise, Photo Touch Booth, Point of View Communications, SOS Entertainment, and The Chip. Media partners include Canyon Country/SCV Living Magazines, Edwards Outdoor Advertising, InsideSCV, KHTS AM-1220, The Magazine of Santa Clarita/Elite Magazine, Santa Clarita Valley Business Journal, SCVTV and The Signal.

Visit www.scvcommunityexpo.com and follow us at facebook.com/scvchamberexpo and twitter.com/scvexpo.

The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)6 business association.  More than 1,200 local businesses support the Chamber through membership making it one of the largest business associations in Southern California. The Chamber is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of business leaders from across the Santa Clarita Valley. www.scvchamber.com