PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — What started several years ago as the Spring Arts & Crafts Fair has evolved into The Forum’s Home & Small Business Trade Show. Now in its third year, the event will take place this weekend at The Forum in Presque Isle.
According to Sandy Bonville, administrative assistant, the show is open to small entrepreneurs, home and small businesses, antique dealers and crafters to showcase, sell and/or promote their products and services.
“We’re starting to get a good show put together, and the idea is taking off, but the attendance isn’t nearly what it could be,” said Bonville. “A lot of people compare this show to our Trash and Treasure Sale, but they’re two totally different events. The Trash and Treasure Sale brings out everybody, whereas this show is meant to be a little more high end in terms of the craft items that are for sale.
“We’re hoping the turnout will be better this year. We decided to hold it before our Trash and Treasure Sale instead of after because we’ve noticed — in previous years — if we have a nice spring day, nobody wants to be inside,” she said. “Since we still have so much snow and people can’t do a lot outside yet, we’re hoping that we’ll get a really good turnout.”
Bonville said the Home & Small Business Trade Show will feature 60-plus vendors.
“We’ve done more advertising this year, and people have been calling to reserve a booth. It’s probably only going to be ‘half house’ rather than taking up the full floor like the Trash & Treasure Sale, but it’s a good show,” she said. “There’s a little bit of everything. We have representatives from Pampered Chef, Scentsy and Origami Owl, and we have a lot of people who have a small business they just started up and they’re trying to get the word out. We have Miller’s Metals, Gene’s Electronics, crafters and much more. It’s a really good variety.”
One business, Bonville said, is There’s a Hole in Your Bucket.
“He’s a certified energy auditor who will come to your home and tell you what you need to do to weatherize your house so you’re not losing so much heat,” she said. “We’ll also have representatives from Greenmark IT who will be here to accept any of your old computer monitors and TVs; they’re willing to dispose of them for you. There are all kinds of businesses represented at the show. It should be a good time.”
The Home & Small Business Trade Show will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. There is no admission. Ten foot by 10-foot booth spaces are still available for $50.
To reserve a space or for more information, call The Forum at 764-0491.
