Chamber gearing up for yearly expo at Waterford Mott

The Waterford Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 5th annual Business and Home Expo on March 31 to promote its local businesses and the community at large.

The event is slated to run between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Waterford Mott High School, located at 1151 Scott Lake Road. Community residents and businesses are encouraged to attend.

“It’s your one-stop shop for local products and services so people think and buy local,” said Chamber Administrative Representative Ashley Bohner.

So far, the chamber has lined up about 130 exhibitors for the event.

“It gets bigger and better every year,” said Waterford Township Treasurer Margaret Birch. “It shows what the businesses and the community has to offer, and by utilizing our businesses, the money flows back into the community.”

The township’s Police and Fire departments, the Department of Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and the Waterford Library are just some of those participating again this year.

In addition to businesses setting up booths to showcase their goods and services, there will be workshops and 15- to 20-minute demonstrations. Some of the demonstrations scheduled include: How to lay a brick paver patio; carpet cleaning; decorating on a shoe-string budget; golf chipping instruction and swing analysis; quick up-dos and make-up tips for prom; and pool and lake living water safety tips.

Families can dine at the Daisy Diner on site where deli sandwiches and similar foods will be available for purchase.

For parents, a kids area will set up with an activities area and fun zone.

The Art Experience, a non-profit organization, will be on hand for face painting. Century Bowl will set up travel lanes for bowling, and Stars and Stripes Gymnastics will provide tumbling mats.

A $1 donation will be charged at the door; however, free admission tickets are available by visiting the chamber’s website at www.waterfordchamber.org.

Parking will be provided in the school’s front and back parking lots; however, the Waterford Senior Center will be shuttling attendees who park farther away, free of charge.

The event will also feature prize drawings, special offers, hands-on exhibits, and general admission raffles.