LOXLEY, Alabama -- Members of the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce are invited to come to the Loxley Civic Center, tonight between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. for entertainment, door prizes, food, adult beverages and an opportunity to go home with a $500 cash give away, said Jamie Mangion, director of operations at the CBCC.

“This special business after hours is one where we promote our small businesses and home-based businesses,” she said.

Citizens’ Bank is the presenting sponsor for this year’s event.

The cost to participate is $150 and already Mangion has had to turn people away, although she did put them on next year’s list to see if they want to participate. The Civic Center is set up to accommodate 20 businesses to participate in the event, which draws a crowd of about 200 each year, Mangion said.

“Our Small Business After Hours is designed to give those businesses who fall within the small and home-based companies an opportunity to showcase their products and services to the general membership,” she said.

The Small Business After Hours has become one of the CBCC’s fastest growing events, as the general membership is expected to turn out in support of these companies.

“Each business that participates is asked to provide at least one door prize,” Mangion said. “That means there will be plenty of door prizes to give away, in addition to the $500 cash prize for some lucky winner.”

Members are encouraged to walk around, avail themselves to the food and live music, and listen for their name and number to be called out when the drawings start.

“The purpose of the special event is to give small and home-based business owners the opportunity to network with other area businesses,” Mangion said. “Of course we want everyone to bring their business cards as these are one of the main tools for networking.”