Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – From farm equipment to French fries, officials with the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce are hoping this week’s Agri-Business Trade Fair will have something for everyone.
“We have a lot of first-time vendors that haven’t been there in the past,” said Shawn Murchison, executive director of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the yearly event. “It’s a great selection ranging from auto dealers to home design to water pumps … all kinds of different stuff.”
About 70 businesses are expected to exhibit at this year’s trade fair. While agriculture is still a huge part of the show, Murchison said people outside of the agricultural world will enjoy attending.
“We always have a big display of farm equipment and so forth because a lot of farmers still come to this show to talk with the dealers, and it’s been a tradition,” said Murchison, “but we have a lot more of an expanse of items or vendors that deal with the regular consumer, as well, be it a car dealer, cable and Internet provider, golf carts, pellet stoves, lawn mowers, chain saws, etc.
“We’ve got a good representation of a lot of the products that are important to the average consumer,” he said. “Our trade fair stresses the importance of the agricultural business to our community, but also has a wide variety of products and services that are of interest to people outside of the farming industry. That aspect has grown over the years.”
A lot of the vendors will have sales during the Agri-Business Trade Fair.
“They have specials or sales sometimes,” said Murchison, “so it’s a good opportunity to maybe find a great deal.”
The 27th annual Agri-Business Trade Fair will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 23; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, March 24; and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, March 25 at The Forum in Presque Isle.
Admission is $2 for adults while children 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are available at the door.
McCain Foods has once again donated French fries to the chamber, which will be on sale at The Forum.
“The proceeds go to our chamber,” said Murchison, “so we really appreciate McCain’s support.”
Murchison said if people have been experiencing cabin fever and are looking for something fun to do, they should attend this year’s trade fair.
“Everyone looks forward to the first trade show of the season, and this is it,” he said. “It’s a chance for people to get out of the house and for these vendors to show off their product. I hope everyone comes out and checks it out. A lot of the businesses that are displaying are local and we need to support them.”
