The Chamber of Commerce’s spring home and leisure show isn’t happening until May 7-8, but the buzz already is building over the annual event, Chamber co-ordinator Dawn Booth said yesterday.
“We made some very exciting changes to our show in 2003 and will introduce even more activities in 2004 to make the show even bigger and better,” remarked Booth.
She and the trade show committee have been working hard on the event for the past few months, she noted.
The theme for this year’s show is “Spring Carnival,” and the committee is encouraging all participating exhibitors to get involved.
“We want our exhibitors to dress in costume, decorate their space to look like a carnival booth, develop an interactive carnival game around their products or services that customers can play, or anything they can think of,” said Booth.
“We are currently in the process of booking carnival-type activities, like a petting zoo, inflatable bouncers and slides, pony rides, hay rides, clowns, and so much more,” she enthused.
Besides a wide variety of vendors, Booth said the public can expect the trade show to be a little better organized than before, with exhibitors and activities divided into sections for children, seniors, women, and men.
Taking a cue from the antiques appraiser brought in for last year’s trade show, the Chamber this year will have an interior design expert on hand to give the public advice on how to give a room in their home a fresh look.
More information on this will be released closer to the date of the trade show.
Booth said for the first time in years, Crime Stoppers also will be having a “jail-or-bail” fundraiser in conjunction with the trade show, where local celebrities will be held captive until their ransom is paid.
And like last year, there will be a flea market where the public can rent tables to sell whatever they want.
Businesses already are signing up to showcase their wares and services, said Booth. About 20 have registered so far, and Booth noted she’s hoping to see at least as many as last year (60).
She added exhibitors are encouraged to book their spaces by today in order to be entered in the “early bird” draw.
“We have a great early bird prize again this year,” Booth noted.
“Anyone who pays in full before March 6 will have their name go into a draw to receive a refund on their booth price. It’s a great deal.
If you know you’re coming anyway, get the cheque out to us—it could pay off.”^The trade show will be held on Friday, May 7 from noon to 9 p.m., and again Saturday, May 8 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information, or to book space as an exhibitor, call Booth at 274-5773.