Sunny skies but cool winds made the North Dundas Local Business Expo a great place to start the weekend for many people. Kicking off with a sold-out event is always a strong sign of success, and that certainly held true for the expo that was held on Sat., April 25 in Winchester. Tinkess Photo

WINCHESTER – When you start with a sell-out, you know that it’s going to be a good day. Such was the case for the North Dundas Local Business Expo, which managed to fill all available booths on two levels for the popular event.

Last year, with rain through most of the day, the Expo was a good choice for those who wanted to stay out of the weather. This year, sunny skies but with a cool wind blowing, it was still a good choice to start the day inside, while leaving yard work till the afternoon.

As you walked around the arena floor as well as upstairs in the Joel Steele Community Hall, you couldn’t help but notice that almost all the vendors were busy explaining the product or services they had to offer and to answer any questions that might arise. With 100 exhibitors, there was a lot to choose from, whether you were interested in learning about health and wellness, home renovations, special events that would take place in the coming months, or many other topics. And you couldn’t forget Touch a Truck, which is always a required stop for the young and young at heart.

If you got tired walking, there were demonstrations throughout the day: JWSD Evolution performing dance, Vanguard Self-Defense Academy displaying martial arts, Main Street Clothing Company presenting a fashion show, and much more.

If you got a bit hungry, Iron Forge Pizza had their delicious sourdough crust pizza ready to go, and Harvest Coffee had their fabulous coffee and assorted sweet treats available. In the arena lobby Triple B Canteen were seen to be busy throughout the day.

Stephen Mann, Director of Economic Development for North Dundas could be seen (if you didn’t blink) going from vendor to vendor, the smile on his face proof of how good it feels when a plan comes together.

Back again, and just as popular as last year was the opportunity for visitors to have their sheet stamped at every booth they visited so that they could be entered into a draw. It is a great, low-impact way to encourage people to take the time to stop and chat and learn about a business that they might not need right now but could support in the future.

We often take for granted how lucky we are to have so many products and services available to us locally, but during events like the Local Business Expo, when you see them all together, you realize just how easy shopping locally can be.