Staff
Plans for the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s Business & Community Expo 2013, set for April 26-27 at the Memorial Sports Centre, continue to take shape.
As of yesterday afternoon, a total of 51 exhibitors had registered, including many new ones, noted Chamber manager Annely Armstrong.
Those interested in a getting a 10’x10’ booth should know that only 10 are left.
The deadline to sign up is next Wednesday (April 17) so organizers have time to finalize a floor plan for exhibitors, who will be located in both the Ice For Kids Arena and ’52 Canadians Arena.
Armstrong said exhibitors also seem to be excited about the event and are trying some new things. Revco Carpet and Daryl’s Custom Landscapes, for instance, are working together to create a whole backyard scene.
“That’s going to be fun,” Armstrong remarked.
Comedian Don Kelly, who will perform at the exhibitors’ mix n’ mingle on the Friday evening, also will be at the expo on the Saturday to meet the public and have his photo taken with people.
He then will perform that evening at 8 p.m. in the arena auditorium, with Boston Pizza serving food and beverages at the event.
“Distant Legacy,” featuring Brittany Hayes, will open for Kelly starting at 7 p.m.
Tickets cost $20 each, which are available at the Chamber office upstairs at the Northern Lights Credit Union (age of majority only).
“There really hasn’t been much of a social or anything like that yet this year, so this will kind of kick off summer, I guess,” enthused Armstrong.
“It will be nice to kick back and listen to the band and the comedian,” she added.
“The band will probably go until about midnight.”
Exhibitors, meanwhile, have been urged to provide draws and giveaways during the expo, which runs from 4-9 p.m. on Friday, April 26 and again from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26.
“Plinko” also will be back, as will the FFHS “chem-free” grad committee’s cake roulette and La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary’s “Rockin’ For A Reason.”
Upcoming summer community events, such as the Boundary Waters Dragon Boat races and “Pulling for Peace” cross-border tug-of-war, also will be promoted at the expo.
As well, the OPP and ambulance service will be demonstrating “METIman,” a technologically-advanced simulator mannequin used for a variety of training purposes.
There also will be a bouncer castle for children over at the library parking lot, and the expo will feature a seating area for patrons to give their feet a rest.
Domino’s will be serving pizza while the Seven Generations Education Institute’s culinary program will be offering samples of their cooking.
From the Grind Up will be serving coffee.
Admission is $3/person, with children 12 and under free.
In related news, one way anyone can be involved in the expo is the “What I Love About Borderland” photo contest.
The entry fee is $10/photo or three for $20. Photographs must be 4” x 6” prints, which can be dropped off at the Chamber office.
All photos will be displayed at the expo, where the public will vote on who should win.
The winner will receive $100 in Chamber gift certificates, redeemable at more than 40 local businesses.
