The Jamestown Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Business Expo tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Portuguese American Citizens' Club.

More than 25 island businesses will be on display, and restaurants will participate in a "Taste the Chowders of Jamestown" event with an array of chowders donated by the eateries.

Charlie Petit, president of the Jamestown chamber, said, "It's a great chance to meet and talk to owners of businesses, both large and small." Petit said many owners of home-based businesses do not regularly get to meet everyone in town and this represents a good chance for them to show islanders what they do.

A drawing will be held every 15 minutes for Chamber Bucks, which are gift certificates that can be redeemed at participating island businesses, Petit said.

Donna Olney Kohler, the chamber's executive director, said that there are three businesses this year that have never exhibited in an expo before. They are Bella Baskets, which makes gift baskets for every holiday and theme; City Scope, a firm that consults on commercial real estate; and Polished Look, a company that markets Mary Kay cosmetic products.

Five restaurants have signed on to make chowder, and the Village Hearth bakery will supply fresh bread to dunk in the chowder, Kohler said.