Citys seeks vendors for Expo

L-N File Photo Show Your Work Local builders and remodelers, like Jim Janik, shown here, are encouraged to participate in this year's city of El Campo Spring Expo, which is expanding its scope to almost any kind of vendor in the community.

By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

With almost 100 vendor invitations in the mail, the city of El Campo is hoping the Spring Expo will be a big event with displays, how-to seminars and a wide range of products and services offered to the public.

The March 15-16 event will be held at the El Campo Civic Center with smaller booths inside and larger displays on the grounds.

"It's open to anyone or anything," Community Service Director Leonard Sternadel said. "I've got an RV dealer, a boat shop, and an (all terrain vehicle salesperson) who are interested (in setting up booths). I've talked to a lady with a landscaping business. Everybody I've talked to from electricians to carpenters to home builders are interested.

"I'm also considering farm and ranch equipment. It's wide open to the community," he added.

There will be no cost to set up a booth either inside the Civic Center or on the building's grounds. The two-day event will also be admission free.

Those interested in booth space can contact Sternadel at El Campo City Hall 541-5000.

The Spring Expo must have at least 30 booths for the event to make, but the community service director said he's confident that goal will be easily reached.

"I don't think that's going to be a problem," he said. "I'm also hoping to have some non-profit food vendors and I'm working on getting a DJ."

Sign ups for the event will continue through Feb. 29.

"I want this to be a fun event," Sternadel said.

The Spring Expo is a recreation of the Home and Garden show of a few years ago.

But this time, Sternadel said, it's expected to be bigger and better than ever.

"We're going to expand from there," he added.