The annual Innisfail & District Trade Show pushed past all threats of rain and a bad economy last weekend to put on a razzle-dazzle two-day event before packed crowds at the Innisfail Arena.
Organizers for the trade show sold out all 83 vendor spaces, with close to half of them new entries. Adults had plenty of businesses and services to check out while kids kept busy in a special children's area – sponsored by EQUS and McMan Youth Family and Community Services Association -- that featured a bounce house, penny carnival and even Otis the Owl.
And best of all it was a free event, underscored by the FortisAlberta-sponsored barbecue on Friday night (April 22), and the Saturday morning (April 23) pancake breakfast sponsored by Servus Credit Union.
“We have had an excellent turnout this year,” said Carla Gabert, manager of the Innisfail & District Chamber of Commerce, which hosted the annual show. She noted vendors came from all across Central Alberta, with just under half from Innisfail and even one from British Columba.
“The goal is to make people aware of the businesses and services that are available, and to promote the local businesses for people to see,” said Gabert.
Couple Corey and Kim Tibble, owners of Kinections fitness studio, were first-time vendors taking advantage of the increased exposure their business could get from the show.
“Many people have come to the studio and have said, ‘We didn't even know you were here.' My husband and I thought, ‘Let's come to the trade show so we can show people what we can do,'” said Kim, whose business at the Eastgate Centre opened in late 2014. “Even in a tough economy people still have to look after themselves. We want people to be healthy.”
Representatives for local service agencies, including Town of Innisfail councillors and senior staff were also on hand to let citizens know about available programs, and their booths were equally busy.
“Today there is no downtime and everybody is smiling and having fun,” said Innisfail RCMP Const. Anne Marie Durette, the detachment's school resource officer. “I am letting citizens know I am in the schools, and I have a lot of material here on crime prevention. It has been really busy.”
Carla Gabert
"We have had an excellent turnout this year. The goal is to make people aware of the businesses and services that are available, and to promote the local businesses for people to see."
