The Rockdale Republican Party will be hosting "A Taste of Conservatism" along with the Clayton, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton and Walton GOP organizations on April 10 at Rockdale’s own Georgia Veterans Memorial Park.

 The event starts at 11 a.m. and will run until 4 p.m. with the first of nearly 30 Republican candidates starting at noon.

 The concept behind this event is to bring as many of local and state Republican candidates to a central location and give voters in Rockdale and surrounding counties a chance to learn about their possible choices before the primaries on July 20.

 "One of the biggest challenges that a voter faces is being able to educate himself/herself on any candidate’s credentials and issues so an informed choice can be made on Election Day," said Kellie Pharr, Chairman of the Rockdale GOP. "We’re expecting to see 300-500 people," said Pharr.

 Among the candidates are Gary Black, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Darwin Carter, Liz Carter, Sen. Jeff Chapman, Rep. Nathan Deal, Doug MacGinnitie, Seth Harp, Sen. John Douglas, Melvin Everson, Larry Gause, Karen Handel, Roger Hines, Sen. Johnny Isakson, Sen. Eric Johnson, Tom Knox, Harold Lodgson, Ray McBerry, Stephen Northington, Sam Olen, John Oxendine, Gerry Purcell, Cory Ruth, Rep. Austin Scott, Maria Sheffield, Com. JaNice Van Ness, Diana Williams, Max Wood, and Richard Woods.

 In addition to political speeches and voter registration, the Rockdale GOP will also be collecting books for Operation Paperback, which sends books worldwide to active military and to veteran’s hospitals, and places like USO transit points. In December, the Rockdale Republican party collected nearly 3,000 books and aims to collect 25,000 books by July 2.

 There will also be a limited number of BBQ lunches available for those who wish to eat lunch on the grounds. Shuttle cart and bus services will be available for those who either need special assistance to get from the parking lots to the stage area or need a ride from one of the boat ramp parking areas. Ticket prices start at $5 adult/$2 children for event admission or $15 adult/$12 children for event admission and lunch. A straw poll will also be conducted and there will be balloons for the kids.

 For additional information, go to www.rockdalegop.com or contact Don or Lyn Williamson, Event Co-chairmen, at events@rockdalegop.com or (770) 401-3573/(770) 356-1013.