Throngs of attendees came to The Silo as chilly temperatures yielded to a beautiful spring day for Allegan EXPO on Saturday, March 28.  Family fun was the theme of the day, and the atmosphere was electric, as nearly 1000 attendees from Allegan its surrounding communities visited with the 74 exhibitors that were set up to promote their products and services.  Both number of attendees and exhibitors shattered previous records set in 2014, increasing by 25% and 37%, respectively.

The Kid’s Corner was again popular, with a craft project from the Allegan Area Arts Council, hands on exhibits from the Forever Curious Children’s Museum, and free kid’s haircuts from Brandon Andrus and Sarah Olmstead.

The vehicle exhibit included units from the Allegan Fire District, Gobles Pine Grove Fire Department, Allegan County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, Life EMS, Allegan County Transportation, Allegan County Snowmobile Club, and West Michigan Air Care.  Special thanks goes to the Gobles Pine Grove Fire Department for landing support for the West Michigan Air Care helicopter.

On the mainstage, Mitch Wooster kept the platters spinning and the feelin’ groovy as he has for all five Allegan EXPOs to date.  He also handled stage management and sound duties as Allegan EXPO welcomed live performances by 2014 Allegan Fair Idol winner Kimberly Pullen, 2013 Allegan Fair Idol winner Zaynee Pattison, and a closing set by Nathan Douglas and Meredith Mancuso.

Bobbie Dell won a 1-year membership to Curves Allegan, sponsored by Curves Allegan, and Allyson Wall won the Kindle Fire HD sponsored by the Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce playing Allegan EXPO Expedition.  Many exhibitors also sponsored door prizes at their booths, and rumor has it, one lucky attendee won both the Hartman/Ellis kayak and a $60.00 gift card from Remington Financial.  No one went away empty handed as there were promotional items aplenty.  Many of the ever-popular 5-gallon pails from Andy’s Ace Hardware were filled to the brim.

The Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce expresses its profound gratitude to Allegan EXPO Premier Sponsors Allegan General Hospital, Ely Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Manpower, as well as, event sponsor, Waanders Concrete.

Save The Date.  Allegan EXPO 2016 will be Saturday March 26.  This event gets bigger and better every year: You won’t want to miss it!