NEW: Blackstone Valley Home and Business Expo This Weekend

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Business Team

If you’ve been waiting for an enjoyable, informative, and free family event, mark your calendar for the 15th Annual Home and Business Expo this Saturday, March 2. Hosted by the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Congress and featuring everything from petting zoos and food samplings to musical performances and health education, this event will take place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Northbridge High School Field House, Linwood Avenue, in Whitinsville.

Returning this year is the “Best in the Valley Chowder Festival,” where six restaurants will have tastings to compete for year-long bragging rights as the “Best in the Valley”. From noon until 2 p.m., the defending champion The Valley Café will challenge Bridge Street Bistro, Red Rock Grille, Pleasant Valley Country Club, Lydia Taft House, and Bushel n’ Peck in winning the People’s Choice Award and the celebrity-judged tastings.

Various other events are scheduled for this year’s Expo. On the more educational side, the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation will be present to give advice on higher learning programs and to discuss college financing. Valley Insurance Partners will also be available from 11 a.m. through 1 p.m. to answer any health insurance questions and to elaborate on the new health insurance coop offered through the Chamber.

To learn anything and everything concerning health and fitness, be sure to visit the new Blackstone Valley Healthy Life Styles Pavilion. While there, you can check your blood pressure, discover new weight control techniques, be assessed by a chiropractor, and find out about diabetes, skin care, senior care, and vitamin and herbal remedies. Programs detailing how to stay in shape at any age will be presented by MRA Sports, along with information about fitness, boot camps, and triathlons.

Alongside the raffles, ticket giveaways, and food samplings, other family favorites include the Northbridge Police Department Kids ID Program, a chance to take a photo with the Easter Bunny, face painting by Andi the Clown, and the Southwick Zoo’s baby animals. There will also be opportunities to meet “Freddy” the NFD Talking Fire Truck, “Finz”, the mascot of the Worcester Sharks hockey team, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Paw and Sox from the Paw Sox. Additionally, the Expo will feature dance and Karate performances in the auditorium and musical performances in the lobby.

Those looking to gain more regional exposure for your product, business, or service, should consider joining the Expo’s 2013 sponsors to advertise to the program’s approximately 3,500 attendees. Other sponsors this year include Osterman Propane, Worcester Business Journal, Sunshine Sign, and Cumulus Broadcasting.

Join the fun! Free admission tickets are available at the Chamber Office, or they can be downloaded from the Chamber website.