Two hundred exhibitors, kids games, music and crawling babies – St. Albert Lifestyle Expo and Sale is again inviting the public to join local and regional businesses in their annual goods and services show.
The expo – put on by the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce – will run from Friday to Sunday at Servus Credit Union Place.
Honourary expo chair, Darel Baker, says it features many well-known events, such as St. Albert Idol and the popular baby crawl, as well as workshops, children’s entertainment and the Rock’n August car show.
“I think it will be a fantastic event this year,” he said.
“Coming down to the expo, you will get some great ideas and get out there and get outside after being cooped up for six months.”
New on the agenda are five outdoor lifestyle workshops: the St. Albert Botanic Park, long-term gardening trends, organic gardening and composting, how to build a deck and "boondocking," the art of using an RV in the woods without any plug-ins, electricity or water.
The expo also features an hour of special entertainment on Seniors’ Day, April 5, with music, two-step and dance, and Fergus the Frog Children’s Show on April 7.
Kids can join in the fun with a petting zoo and the 'potting' zoo where they can paint a pot and plant a seed.
There will also be inflatable bouncers, the Future Shop gaming centre and Kids Korner – devoted to movies, face painting and magic tricks – and this year's Cinderella Carriage and Pedal Tractor Obstacle Course.
Baker said visitors could expect to see great talent from young singers and musicians at St. Albert Idol.
A panel of chamber board members and experts from the visionary arts college will judge the artists before announcing the winners on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
Babies will take the stage and crawl for first prize on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Expo organizers expect between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors.
This year, Baker said the event moved to an earlier date to attract more visitors interested in spring and yard work.
“You can’t actually get out there and do anything (this) weekend,” said Baker.
“So as a result it will be great to come inside and figure out all the great ideas that you can put in place a week later when the snow is gone.”
Show hours are Friday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $3 for a single day and $5 for the entire weekend. Children under 12 years are free. Seniors pay half price on April 5.
Every paid entry to the expo is eligible to win a cruise for two people by Expedia CruiseShipCenters.
Visitors can also participate in “stamp around the lifestyle expo,” collecting stamps from different booths with a chance to win one of two $1,000 gift certificates.
The workshops are all free with admission.
