By Jane Torres
Director of the Houlton Chamber
It’s hard to believe that it is April and time, once again, for the Southern Aroostook Trade Show.
Trade shows are a great way for businesses to introduce themselves to the community and to explain to a captive audience all that they have to offer. This Trade Show attracts between 1,500 and 2,000 attendees over a two-day period and has a history of being the first event at the Millar Civic Center after “ice out.”
Three days before the doors are opened to an eager public, various vendors start bringing their wares in to set up their space. The RVs are brought in first followed by tractors, lawn mowers, wood splitters and wood-fired outdoor boilers. The motorcycles are next along with ATVs and side-by-sides. Wheels, tires, rims and parts are next in the door and are shined and put in elaborate displays bound to catch your eye. Then Aroostook Milling moves almost their entire inventory of pellet stoves to their spaces in an effort to recreate the comfort and homey atmosphere that makes one rethink the options to heat a home in the cold Maine winter.
There are many booths set up that are merely informational in nature. Northern Maine Development Commission sets up a booth at the Trade Show every year to inform the community as to their purpose. Do you know what NMDC does? Stop by and they would be happy to explain. Maybe you are thinking of an alternative to public school for your child? Or you might be looking for a great opportunity for a leadership camp for your teen. Now is the time to stop and have a chat with people from the Greater Houlton Christian Academy or the folks from the Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp. Their purpose at the Trade Show is, again, to inform and explain their mission and give you some options in the education of your child.
A new addition to the show in the past few years has been those folks who craft and sell unique items to enhance your home. The Northern Maine Wood Turners and Woodturning by Cam are two fine examples of people dedicated to bringing beauty to the buyer with handmade wood products. Do you want to try your hand at crafting? This is your opportunity to develop a new hobby.
There will be soap makers, digital marketing people, screen printing experts, Dish Network representatives, various non-profits and our friends from WHOU will be there with some awesome drawings to win concert tickets!
Whatever you do that weekend make it a point to stop by and visit all of us at the 2014 Southern Aroostook Trade Show.
