Trade show ready to roll

Sporting about 70 exhibitors, as well as demonstrations and chances to win prizes, the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has lined up lots to do at its annual home and leisure show Friday and Saturday at the Memorial Sports Centre.
“We are jam-packed full,” Chamber manager Dawn Booth said Wednesday. “We’ve got lots of new exhibitors and, of course, Badiuk Equipment will be having its annual boat show on the second ice surface.
“There’s definitely lots to do and see,” she added.
“It should be another great home and leisure show,” echoed Chamber president Gary Rogozinski on Thursday morning. “I think people look forward to coming to it.
“I’m anticipating it to be a really good turnout—even better than last year.”
Rogozinski noted many area residents should be out and about here Friday and Saturday not only because of the Chamber’s trade show, but events like Pinewood Sports and Marine’s boat show and the Northern Do-it Center’s home show.
“Having these different events going on gets people moving around,” he reasoned. “I’m sure they’ll stop at the stores and do some shopping, as well.
“It’s great for the whole community,” he enthused.
Booth noted, as in years past, that those who attend the trade show also can expect free samples, draws, food booths, and demos, as well as activities to keep kids busy while the adults look around.
For a full list of demonstrations and other scheduled activities at the home and leisure show, see the ad on page B4 in yesterday’s Times.
The trade show, which is following the theme “Life at the Lake” this year, runs Friday from noon-9 p.m. and again Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission is $2, with children under 12 getting in for free if they’re accompanied by an adult.
Meanwhile, instead of “passports” that trade show-goers get stamped by exhibitors and enter in a draw for prizes, there will be a comment card they can fill out and enter.
“We do ask everybody to take a few minutes as they go through the show to fill it out, and tell us what they like about the show and what they would like to see different next year,” said Booth.
“Those who fill it out and bring it back to us will be entered in a draw to win a weekend stay at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg.”
Although 2006 won’t see the return of the popular “Hole-in-One” putting contest, Booth said there will be a skill-testing contest in which contestants will get chances to win big prizes.
Called “Rainy Lake Horseshoes,” it will be a similar game of skill, where players pay $5, get to toss three washers at a board with holes in it, and put their name into a draw for each one they get in a hole.
Then, more than 100 names will be drawn and each of those people will get a chance to enter a five-digit code into the safe. If they crack the code, they get a choice of prizes.
The three main sponsors are Badiuk Equipment (an outdoor recreation package), Sight & Sound (a $50,000 home theatre system), and IQON Financial ($50,000 customized investment portfolio).
There also will be consolation prizes.
This game also will be open to children, though they will be eligible for different prizes without having to enter a five-digit code.