Sanders County Trade fair a success

Melissa Oyer

Valley Press

Sanders County Trade Fair was held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in and around the Plains High School gym. The event was sponsored by the Plains-Paradise Chamber of Commerce and was a melting pot of countywide and area businesses, trade professionals and non-profit organizations.

The public was welcome to attend the trade fair free of admission thanks to the generosity of donations made by Rocky Mountain Bank and First Security Bank.

As visitors entered the school, plastic bags were given out to be filled with all the goodies each booth and organization were handing out.

There was a variety of informational booths set up from businesses and non-profit groups varying from photography, health & wellness, landscaping, signage, furniture, real estate, computer, telecommunications, cosmetics, heating and cooling, automotive needs, power products, i.e. lawnmowers, generators, etc, childcare resources, antiques, arts & gifts, aerial photography, septic services, contractors, newspapers, toastmasters, among many others.

People from all over Sanders County and the surrounding areas were mingling with one another among the rows of tables and booths. Dave Swartzentruber and his family were just some of the townspeople who came. . "This is a good reason to spend the day with your family and see what the community has to offer," Swartzentruber said.

James Potter with the Disabled American Veterans was talking to passersby as they walked into the fair.

"What we do is very worthwhile," Potter said. "We need to get the word out about what we do and how people can become involved and this is a great way to do so."

The van that the DAV use to transport veterans back-and-forth from various appointments was parked outside the gym for people to look at.

Most businesses were offering discounts or incentives to people at the trade fair. Every hour a different winner’s name would be called over the loudspeaker.

Barb Shallenberger had another reason for making it out to the trade fair.

"You get to see the people you haven’t seen in a year and catch up on the latest news and goings on."

Kimberly Beech had her hands full with tiny hands, smiling faces, and messy paintbrushes. Beech, who runs Over the Moon Childcare an art immersion childcare center in Paradise, was adorning faces with rainbows, trucks, butterflies and a variety of other favorites for children who stopped by her booth.

Over 500 people made their way into the 14th annual Sanders County Trade Fair. Sherry McCartney who serves on the Plains-Paradise Chamber of Commerce thought the day went well. "We’re so happy with the turnout. We just want everyone to enjoy themselves and learn about what this county has to offer."

Everywhere you turned there was a Girl Scout selling cookies And if Girl Scout cookies were not what you were craving, members of the eighth grade class were selling a variety of other snacks from the concession stand.

Riley Montgomery, a Plains School seventh grader was selling raffle tickets for a 2009 Chevy Hybrid pickup truck to be given away in May. Proceeds from Montgomery’s raffle will go towards his Special Olympics competitions.

Paul Shelton was roaming around the gym browsing the different booths and exhibits, looking for freebies just like everyone else. "I’m just checking things out," Shelton said. "There’s a lot to do and a lot to see so it’s best to just wander around."