As more exhibitors sign up for the local Chamber of Commerce’s 20th-annual home and leisure show in early May, organizers are planning more and more to make the show bigger and better than ever.
Chamber officer manager Dawn Booth said late yesterday that one of the things planned is a game of chance for people to play during the event, which will run Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 at the Memorial Sports Centre.
“We’re going to be introducing ‘Plinko’ this year, as made famous by ‘The Price is Right,’” she noted, adding for $1, people will get a chip, play the “Plinko” board, and win a prize depending how their chip falls on the board.
“There will be different prizes available,” Booth said. “Everybody that plays will get a prize—prizes will vary from little things to a grand prize draw which will be a trip for two.”
The trip includes three days and two nights in Orlando, Fla., three days and two nights in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., a two-night Caribbean cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, aboard the Regal Empress, and a follow-up trip for either three days and two nights in Las Vegas, Nev. or four days and three nights in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Air fare is not included.
The number of people in the draw depends on how many people get their “Plinko” chip in the grand prize slot on the game board.
Booth noted that unlike some of the other games of chance at past trade shows, someone is guaranteed to win this trip. Those who are entered in the draw, but do not win the trip, will get a consolation prize.
There also will be an admission draw prize. Basically, everyone who pays the $3 daily admission will be entered into a draw for a chance to win $1,000 in Chamber gift certificates.
Booth said there also will be hourly attendance draws. Every hour, someone’s name will be drawn from a box containing the names of all those who have paid admission.
The hourly winners will get 20 entries into the draw for $1,000.
“It kind of coincides with our 20th-annual,” she noted, adding organizers are trying to tie the “20” theme into as much as they can.
The show also will feature an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. on the Friday, with the Fort Frances Highlanders performing and various delegates invited.
Booth said there also will be a demonstration going on at the skate park on the Saturday (May 3).
The popular amateur photo contest, first introduced last year, will be back again, as will a “cutest pet” photo contest (which has been expanded from “cutest puppy” contest first held last year).
It’s going to be open to all pets, with a portion of the proceeds going to the local Friends of Animals.
The trade show also will have a children’s area (featuring face-painting, toys, games, colouring, three shows by children’s magician “Grampa Magic,” and possibly clown “Squire Lawrie”), as well as the ever-popular “chem-free” grad cake roulette, free samples, a penny auction, possibly a video gaming corner, and more.
Organizers also have approached local musicians and performers about doing sets throughout the two days.
Booth said more than 30 exhibitors have registered so far, including Badiuk Equipment, which will be using the entire ’52 Canadians Arena once again this year.
“We’re really hoping to get our 70 exhibitors,” she remarked. “We’ve had a tremendous response to the show this year. We’ve got lots of new exhibitors coming in, taking up multiple spaces.
“It’s going to very exciting,” she enthused. “We’ve got new exhibitors focusing on what our comment cards were asking for last year. More building products, more home improvement, those types of things.”
The show will be open from 4-9 p.m. on Friday, May 2 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.
For more information on the show, such as how to register or the rules for the amateur photo contest, contact the Chamber office at 274-5773 or visit www.fortfranceschamber.com
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
