Edgerton Village Hall was the site of a local Business and Industry Show on March 4. According to Carissa Fritch of the Edgerton Chamber of Commerce, the number of no-shows was disappointing, but despite their failure to appear, 26 booths were occupied and taking full advantage of the heavy foot traffic of visitors from all over the area.
“This is a way for local businesses to come out, and show people what they’ve got and what they offer,” said Edgerton Chamber of Commerce President, Christian Elden. “Whether it be a service or a product, here locally, it’s good for the smaller businesses to have a way to show people what they’ve got.”
The only thing greater than the number of businesses and organizations present was the diversity of the same. Before entering the show floor, a well stocked table of Girl Scout cookies awaited perusal to the right, and the local Boy Scouts were holding down the concession stand at the left. Entrance to the show floor was on the northwest side, where just inside the door was the Chamber of Commerce manned by Ms. Fritch and Mr. Elden. Looking straight down the first aisle, there was significant traffic in the colorful booth of LuLaRoe Fashion Consultant, Whitney Horn of Edgerton. Just to the right of the floor entrance was the booth of the Edon Farmers Co-Op, where Karrie and Don Kimpel awaited visitors.
No local exhibition would be complete without the presence of Pence’s Concessions, and their sweet treats were being offered in the second row. At the end of the row, situated next to the Edon Farmers Co-Op, was the booth of Bruce Lavoie, President of ABL Electric and Innovations. “My wife said that if it had a wire attached to it, I’m probably involved with it,” Bruce quipped. A member of CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association), ABL’s mission of ‘Enabling Enhanced Lifestyles’ includes everything needed to transform the everyday house into the ‘Smart Home’ of the 21st century.
The booth of Black Beard’s Bay Water Park was jumping with activity, as were their neighbors. Jessica Keppeler of Cornerstone Kitchen and Catering was serving up samples of a divine barbequed pulled pork that they didn’t just prepare, but also raised. Next to Cornerstone was the booth of Never Let Go Ministries. Victor and Mary Juarez operate this anti-drug ministry in the memory of their son, who lost his battle with addiction, and his life. Although it did not fit in on the ‘happy and fun’ scale, the informational and inspirational service provided by Never Let Go does something that none of the other businesses or organizations present could. In a setting where everywhere you turned, you could find new and exciting ways to enhance lives, Victor and Mary were focused on saving lives, especially those of kids, making their booth perhaps the most important at the show.
“We’re really excited about the turnout that we’ve had. There’s a lot of great local businesses here, and we’re glad to have them,” said Chamber President Elden. Judging by the attendance, the attendees were just as excited to meet up with the businesses.
Timothy Kays can be reached at tim@thevillagereporter.com