by Robin Tarnowetzki
Journal Staff Writer
The Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce is gearing up bring in attendees from the region with its annual Fall Showcase and Trade Show in November.
"It's kind of a big event," said Debra Nyczai, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. "There's something different for everyone - stuff for the kids to do, stuff for the adults to do, the whole family can come out and spend a couple hours."
The Uniplex will be buzzing with vendors, customers, and entertainment on Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year there are 46 home-based businesses and 62 commercial and nonprofit businesses registered in the event. That number is comparable to previous years, but Nyczai said that there is still room for a few more vendors. The Kinettes usually have their craft show around the same time, but since they moved the date, the Chamber of Commerce may have more room for businesses.
"We've got more interest than capacity," Nyczai said, and added that she prefers that to not having enough interest. "If we get enough interest, which, we're getting there, we can fill that whole area as well with more vendors."
Nyczai added that she is trying to accommodate everyone.
In addition to the vendors, there will be a separate children's entertainment area in the lobby of the curling rink with bouncy castles, colouring books, and crayons. Saturday has a reptile show (and two lucky kids will have the opportunity to help out with the wrangling) and Sunday will see Sister Act Entertainment doing balloon animals and face painting. The children's area will be supervised at all times by the Humboldt Regional Newcomers Centre.
"The reptile show was here last year and it was a big success so I wanted to bring that back," Nyczai said.
Nyczai has been planning all these different things since she started at the Chamber of Commerce in June.
There is going to be a wide variety of booths to see. On the home-based side, there will be skincare, spices, sauces, cooking products, clothing, and jewelry.
On the business side, there will be vendors covering home improvement, home renos, insurance, financials, clothing, and healthcare.
"There's just so much, it's hard to break down. We've just got a ton of vendors," Nyczai said. "It's one of those things where there's going to be something for literally everybody."
The event is free of charge to the public.
