Duane Hicks
The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s Business & Community Expo 2013 is being hailed as a success by organizers.
Chamber manager Annely Armstrong said 1,249 paid adults went through the doors at the Memorial Sports Centre on Friday and Saturday, with many more children under 12 and volunteers also in attendance.
Armstrong noted she was very happy with the turnout, and the event ran with very few complaints.
“We seemed to get lots of compliments,” she enthused.
“It was a very successful event,” echoed Chamber president Mark Caron, who had his own booth there.
He did a tour of the show on Friday and felt the event was well-attended.
In addition to 59 exhibitors representing a wide range of businesses, including Sunset Country Ford, which held a vehicle sale in the ’52 Canadians Arena, there were popular events like the “chem-free” grad cake roulette and “Plinko.”
There also was a “Relay for Life” bake sale and the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary’s annual “Rockin’ for a Reason” fundraiser, as well as plenty of giveaways and draws.
Paul Fisher won the air nailer donated by Fastenal while Bill Anderson won the barbecue donated by Walmart.
Deborah Armstrong won a $50 gift certificate to Tonic Tattoo, Gary Gregory won a $50 Canadian Tire gift certificate, and L. Curr won a $50 gift card from Canada Safeway.
Erika Kozar won the “What I Love About Borderland” photo contest. There was 20 entries for the contest, with some photographers entering more than one picture.
The expo was a success after-hours, as well. Armstrong said the mix-and-mingle for exhibitors Friday night was really well-attended.
A social Saturday evening featuring comedian Don Kelly, who originally hails from Onigaming First Nation, has relatives in the Fort Frances area, and attended Catholic school here until Grade 6, drew about 70 people (though more people than that bought tickets).
It also featured music by Distant Legacy with Brittany Hayes.
Kelly also was at the expo Saturday afternoon to meet the public and sign autographs.
Armstrong said Kelly “enjoyed himself here,” although he was very tired as he’s in the midst of filming his TV program, “Fish out of Water.”
“He’s really busy. He does all the comedy festivals, like Winnipeg and Montreal, and has two shows on the go, so he’s just travel, travel, travel,” she noted.
“Boston Pizza did a great job hosting,” added Armstrong. “They were doing all the catering on the Friday and Saturday night.”
Looking ahead to 2014, Armstrong said she would like to see more food vendors next year.
“We had a couple come, and we kind of tested the waters with the seating area,” she remarked.
“The seating area was great, we got lots of compliments on that because people walk around and they just need somewhere to sit down and have a bite to eat.
“It was more social, more family-friendly this year,” Armstrong added. “So for next year, we absolutely have to make sure that we have that.
“Maybe we’ll ask other places in town ahead of time to supply food,” she noted.
“That really made a difference.”
