ORANGE PARK – Excitement is building for brides looking ahead to June weddings.

The 5th Annual Clay Bridal Spectacular will be on Sunday, Feb. 26, 1-4 p.m. at the Thrasher-Horne Center.

Brides will come from miles around, locally and from surrounding counties, looking for wedding inspiration, ideas and solutions from the amazing selection of goods and services on display. Wedding professionals will be ready to help them find the perfect gown, décor, photographer, music, menu and whatever else they may need.

Vendors such as the following will be on hand: Anthony’s Gourmet Catering, Charisma Spa, Dance Center International, Esther Atkins of Mary Kay, Hampton Inn and Suites Middleburg, Karen’s Catering, Orange Park Woman’s Club, and dozens more.

According to Thrasher-Horne Executive Director Bob Olson, this year’s Spectacular will feature a record 35 vendors. Some vendors will provide samples, such as the proprietor of Karen’s Catering.

Owner Karen Lewis will have a limited sampling of dips for vegetables and chips, her special chicken salad and her popular miniature cupcakes. Her catering kitchen is at The Silo Shoppes at Doctors’ Inlet. She will also hand out business cards and brochures detailing the many sumptuous meals she can prepare for a bride’s guests.

Esther Atkins, a Mary Kay cosmetics consultant, will be handing out samples of skin care products, answering questions, and scheduling appointments for skincare and makeup sessions at later dates for brides and bridesmaids. She reminds these young women that good skin care is the first step to glowing skin on the Big Day. Even great makeup cannot make a bride look her best if her skin isn’t properly maintained.

Atkins said brides should start now with good products during the interim until the wedding to have their skin looking radiant for their wedding day.

Prizes will be given away, including Door Prizes, a Raffle, Wedding Packages and a “Passport.”

Olsen said as the executive director, and he strives not to let the event get too big. He wants the Bridal Spectacular to be spectacular yet also representative of the down-home Southern charm that characterizes Clay County. He also wants the atmosphere to be more relaxed, intimate, and one-on-one, giving brides a chance to have productive conversations with the vendors instead of getting overwhelmed with so much.