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WILTON – Thousands are expected to attend what is shaping up to be the biggest business expo ever held in these parts on Saturday at the Western Maine Expo Center (former Nichols Expo Center on Weld Road) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What was originally a much smaller Home and Leisure Show held at the high school, has now morphed into the 16th Annual Greater Franklin Business Expo with more than 100 vendor spaces filled and a variety of attractions and activities for the whole family. The sponsoring Franklin County Chamber of Commerce organizers are hoping that since moving the event to a month later this year, weather worries will be over and the crowd will just keep coming.
“We’ve created a family atmosphere with more activities for everyone,” said Lorna Nichols, the Chamber’s executive director. “And good weather will bring in a lot more people.”
As businesses and organizations meet and greet an expo crowd expected to number more than 2,000, activities for the whole family will include a chowdah cook off and, new this year, a cake contest. Both are free to enter, with pre-registration much appreciated. Cake and other demos, animal shelter pets, two ponies from the Double E Horse Rescue of Industry, along with a few exotic friends from the DEW Animal Kingdom in Mt. Vernon, will be attending.
Another highlight will be Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Rackliffe, a K-9 handler for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department will be demonstrating his dog’s talents at the expo, from 10-11 a.m. and from 1-2 p.m. To find out more about Rackliffe’s work, visit www.vonwoden.com.
Kids can try their luck at the fishing pond stocked with good-sized trout (begins at noon; $5 for 5 minutes) while a continual line up of musicians will provide entertainment. New this year is food vendor Barnacle Bill’s, which will be set up outside the center and ready to serve up its famous seafood specials.
Nichols said vendors are continuing to sign up this week and are welcome through Friday. For more information, call 207-778-4215 or email: assistant@franklincountymaine.org.
Here is the current list of vendors (with more likely to be added):
Hammond Lumber
Dead River
Miche Bag by Kathleen
Downeast Energy
Camden National
Sunshine Pools
Maine Energy Saver
Franklin Savings
Democratic Party/Irv Faunce
Franklin County EMA
Mt. Blue Agway
Webber Energy
Austin Associates
Healthy Community Coalition
Robin’s Flower Pot
Franklin Community Health Network
EZ to use Big Book
G & K Home Services
Hight Chevy Geo Pontiac
TD Bank
Rocky Hill Landscaping
Crown Court Day Spa
Sandy River Realty
A Partner in Technology
Pine Tree Orthopedic Lab
Grimaldi Concrete Floors & Concrete Countertops
Comfort Inn
University Credit Union
WMCA
Harris Real Estate
Foster Tech Center
Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice
Windowman
Oakes & Parkhurst
Norpine Landscaping
The Wilton Group
Orchard Park Rehab & Living Center/Farmington Congregate Apts.
Animal Shelter
R.S. Osgood
Barnacle Bill’s (Food Vendor)
Sandy River Center
Mt. Blue Legacy Committee
Damon Photography
Divine Inspirations
North Ridge Energy Solutions
Community Energy Challenge
Shirt Tales
Upright Frameworks
Franklin Chrysler
Ridge House Designs
Boka Bags
Doreen Sween
Ami Huff Jewelry
Tom Saviello Republican Party
Market America
Memories by Melissa
