Visitors to this year’s Iola Area Chamber of Commerce Business EXPO will find a treasure trove of products and information about how to improve their homes, lawns and gardens.
The event will unfold in the Recreation Community Building at Riverside Park March 30, from 5 to 8 p.m., and continue on March 31, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The previous eight EXPOs were in January.
The EXPO was moved to the end of March to escape being just after the crush of holiday activities and also because of annual concerns about severe winter weather, said Shelia Lampe, chamber director.
This year’s theme, “Home, Lawn and Garden,” also fits perfectly into the second week of spring.
“That’s what people are thinking about this time of year,” she added, noting the EXPO will be a “great place to get ideas as well as find where to purchase materials for that special project.”
Lawns and gardens will be the focus of three exhibitors, TLC Garden Center, LaHarpe, Duane’s Flowers, Iola, and Terry’s Flowers, Humboldt, which will have products and expertise to share.
Already 41 vendors have reserved space for the 2012 EXPO, five more than last year. Several others have indicated an interest. Lampe is confident the total will grow by the time doors open the afternoon of March 30.
Sponsors for the 2012 EXPO are Copy Products, Community National Bank, Cox Communications, The Family Physicians and Personal Service Insurance.
Many businesses will give door prizes, which will be announced throughout the show, and the popular giveaway of 500 EXPO Bucks again will be a feature. Show visitors become eligible for the EXPO Bucks drawing by visiting booths and having EXPO cards marked. They may be spent the same as money at any vendor’s business.
THE EXPO will give a broad view of what Iola and the area have to offer, Lampe said.
Health care will be the order of business in booths featuring the services of Allen County Hospital, The Family Physicians, Thrive Allen County and Preferred Health, Lampe observed.
Homeowners who have concerns about radon or water purity may learn how to determine if they have a problem at Southwind Extension District’s booth. Krista Harding, a Kansas State Extension agent in the Fort Scott office, will explain how tests are done.
Cox Communications and Kwikom will give insight into high-tech communications, including Internet connections provided in the host building by Kwikom.
