Trade show time in GC
Sep. 3—GROVE CITY — One of the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce's largest events is set for this coming Saturday.
The annual Trade Show and Wellness Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Grove City Memorial Park. Admission is free.
"It will be a nice mixture of people," said Beth Black, the chamber's executive director.
The event was held for years at Grove City College during the earlier part of the year. It was held at the park last fall in an effort to help maintain social distancing.
Chamber leaders liked the location so much that they decided to hold the expo at the park again.
More than 50 vendors will set up at the Monteleone and Highland pavilions along with the grassy area inside the loop.
The event serves as a chance for people to support the community and commerce and their health and well-being, and to explore what the park has to offer.
"That was kind of the push behind enhancing our trade show," Black said of how the "wellness" component was added in 2021.
The expo is being sponsored by AHN Grove City and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; they will have a mobile unit with kids' activities and free health screenings for glucose, blood pressure, vision and more.
Vendors will include local organizations and businesses, some offering additional healthcare resources.
The vendors are encouraged to have interactive displays with prizes, games and samples.
There's still time for more vendors to register, Black said.
Grove Manor and Advantage Care Therapy will have information for seniors and a putting green, and Earth Sun Moon Trading Company will be touting its "Cash for Christmas" seasonal employment opportunities.
"Maybe Santa will show up," Black said.
Grove City Agway will have pet food samples, Grove City Ford will have a vehicle on display, Grove City Rotary Club will sell strawberry shortcake, and Independent Taco will park its food truck.
The expo will be held rain or shine since everything will be under the pavilions or canopies.
The main entrance to the park off of state Route 58 will be open for handicap-accessible parking and several other parking areas.
Parking will also be available next door at the high school.
Folks can also support the chamber with the second annual Bigfoot Boogie 5K Trail Race and Hike. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 10 at the park.
Participants will follow the back part of the trail near the old Girl Scout lodge. The race for ages 6 to 13 is a 1K race and starts at 8:30 a.m. followed by the race for 14 and up and 9 a.m.
Top finishers will receive a medallion created by Wendell August Forge. For more details and registration, vsit runsignup.com/bigfootboogie
Also on the chamber's calendar:
Registration is full for the 41st annual Chamber Day Golf Scramble set for Sept. 14 at Grove City Country Club.
This year the chamber is hosting the Wine Walk in downtown Grove City; it's been on hiatus for a number of years and was previously organized by Olde Town Grove City, which has been dissolved.
The walk will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 5. Black is lining up wineries that will be stationed at various businesses.
Tickets will be sold online at the end of September. They can also be purchased at the event for a slightly higher price than presale.
There's also Christmas in the Park, which is celebrating its 15th year. The chamber invites community members to set up Christmas decorations at the park as part of a drive-through display.
"We believe in our community and we're passionate about it," Black said on behalf of the chamber.
The chamber office is located at 119 S. Broad St., Grove City. Info: Call 724-458-6410, email info@shopgrovecity.com, or visit www.shopgrovecity.com or "Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce" on Facebook.
