This year’s Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce Home & Leisure Expo that took place this weekend (Friday, April 10 to Sunday April 12) was a huge success. The event was presented by the Cornwall and District Real Estate Board and sponsored by Lahaie & Sullivan Cornwall Funeral Home and Dignity Memorial at the Benson Centre in Cornwall, I visited.
On Saturday, April 11, day 2 of the Home & Leisure Expo, I stopped by to check things out.
As I entered the packed parking lot I could tell that this would be a very successful event as Angela Bero, Chamber Executive Director confirmed when she told me that over 2,500 people had already passed through the doors since the show opened on Friday evening, April 10th. I was also greeted by Ross Butterworth who has coordinated and executed the Expo since 2018. Both Angela and Ross are seen in the header photo.
The entrance to the Expo was a Maker’s Market that led to almost 200 booths ranging from home renovation services to service clubs, leisure activities and so much more. Booth space was already sold out at the beginning of February which proves that this is a show that everyone, businesses and visitors alike look forward to, especially after the long winter that we’ve had, the one that keeps looking like Spring has finally arrived and then suddenly Mother Nature changes her mind!
Below are some of the booths I visited.
A couple of new additions this year included, Meet Marshall and Kate, the rescue-themed heroes from Paw Patrol and appearances by Ms. Rachel and Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse, two popular characters loved by toddlers and preschoolers for their hit shows on Netflix.
As quoted from a press release from the Chamber, highlights included a sold-out Maker’s Market: a showcase of unique, handcrafted goods from local artisans. Expert advice: Dozens of vendors specializing in home renovation, real estate and outdoor living and Community support: A gathering place for thousands of residents to support local entrepreneurship.”
I think visitors to the show appreciated that Admission was Free on all three days thanks in part to the City’s Municipal Grant program.
I also think that visitors to the show are happy to Shop Local and Shop Canadian.
You definitely needed to have several hours spare to check all the booths and to fill out ballots for chances to win prizes and of course purchase a ticket for a chance to win the 1994 Indian/Harley Davidson motorcycle from the Cornwall Lion’s Club – you can see me sitting on the bike and I could almost feel the wind in my hair!!! You still have time to get a ticket, only 999 are available at $50 each and the draw is on April 21 at the Best Western in Cornwall at 9pm.
I went in thinking that I could get through the show in an hour or so and 3 hours later I was still only half way through as there was so much to see and so many new things to learn about and that of course is what the Seeker does – “Seeks out all the Gems in our Community and its surroundings”.
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