Christmas trade show at Exhibition

ABOUT 260 VENDORS EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND

At Exhibition Park, spokesperson Doug Kryzanowski calls it an explosion.

About 260 business and farm operations will be taking part in this weekend’s “Big Christmas Trade Show,” he says.

“The show has exploded this year with over 160 farmers’ market vendors and over 95 commercial vendors,” says Kryzanowski, marketing manager at Exhibition Park.

“We expect possibly over 260 vendors for this year, which exceeds the show’s past vendor counts at over 150.”

Doors at the two-day event open Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m.

With that many choices, he says, it’s become a one-stop giftshopping experience.

But the Atco-sponsored show will offer entertainment as well. Santa will stop in Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., and again Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. Santa’s reindeer will attend, and his sleigh will be part of the event as well.

And youngsters will also be invited to bring their letters to Santa, or to write one at the show.

“Frozen Princesses,” meanwhile, will present familiar Christmas carols and then take part in photo opportunities with the children. There will also be a kids’ craft area to keep their attention.

Young visitors may also want to take part in a cookie decorating activity.

For the adults, there will be daily draws for prize baskets, as well as an opportunity to step up to the bar — a hot chocolate, butterscotch, caramel sundae bar, that is — where they can pick their toppings. They can also be on the lookout for the Grinch, wandering through the displays.

And for the whole family, a live nativity scene will be presented several times both days.

Admission is set at $2 per person, no charge for children under 10, and parking will be free.

Doors will close at 8 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday.

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