Local Merchants Set to Exhibit at Oswego Business and Consumer Expo

The Oswego Business and Consumer Expo is right around the corner.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14, the ’s field house will be filled with roughly 100 booths as exhibitors from Oswego, Yorkville, Plainfield, Montgomery and the surrounding area display their businesses.

“There are still 10 open booths if anyone is interested,” said Angie Hibben of the . Businesses interested in a booth can either call the chamber or visit its website.

“There’s a mix of everything,” Hibben said. “From banks, landscapers, insurance, alarm systems … Our vendors work very hard to make sure they have a lot of information for potential customers. It’s a one-stop place to find out pretty much anything you could need for your home, family or business.”

Besides the booths, there will also be a mix of activities and demonstrations as well as an art show featuring works from Oswego and Yorkville students in grades K-12. While there are many individual pieces, Hibben said there are always some larger collaborative pieces done by classes or grades.

“We found that if we do things that have the kids involved, everyone comes out to see their children,” Hibben said, laughing. “We had some parents last year who came to see the art show and were like ‘Oh, there’s a vendor show here?’”

Activities taking place in the small gym off the fieldhouse include Rondi Fitness’ fitness demonstration at 10:30 a.m., Jarret Payton's anti-bullying campaign at 11:15 a.m., Limelight Theatre's live skits at 11:50 a.m., World Champion tae kwon do demo at 12:30 p.m. and Dance Flare’s dance demo at 1:15 p.m.

There will also be food available for hungry attendees. “, which just opened this past weekend, will be serving up some sweets and Dujour Fine Catering will have sandwiches,” said Hibben.

Exhibitors might also bring food and a plethora of other goodies to give away. “They give out everything from pens to Frisbees to food,” Hibben said. 

A $500 cash prize will be given to one attendee, in addition to other door prizes. 

Because of the construction at Oswego High School, the field house door will be closed. Instead, all visitors are to enter in Door 11 on the other side of the school right next to the green houses.

“We had around 2,000 people in five hours last year,” said Hibben. “We’re hoping we can introduce even more to our expo this year.”

Sponsors for the 2012 expo include Allied First Bank, Earth Mover Credit Union, Edward Hospital and Health Services, , , , , , , , , and WSPY FM 107.1.

For more information, please visit the Oswego Chamber of Commerce website.