Total solar eclipse-themed Richland Area Chamber Business Expo a big hit with crowd
The Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development annual Business Expo Thursday was a hit with the public and members, the latter handing out solar glasses and more for the eclipse-themed event called "Don't Get Left in the Dark."
Hundreds of chamber members were set up at booths and tables as the public walked through the Richland County Fairgrounds building gathering pens, candy, free samples, brochures and more.
Mansfield is among the sites expected to draw large crowds April 8 for the total solar eclipse.
David Weigold, a volunteer with Richland County Emergency Management Agency, was draped in an eclipse-themed frock and wore large yellow sunglasses.
It was Weigold's first time attending the event and he was glad he went.
"I'm bringing smiles to everybody's faces," he said. "I'm having a great time at the expo. Everybody is fantastic."
Weigold said he doesn't know what to expect in terms of visitors to Richland County April 8.
"My son went down to an eclipse in Kentucky and he said it took him an hour to get there and 7.7 hours to get back, because everybody went down a little bit at a time and everybody left at one time," Weigold said.
Weigold thanked his teammates for the outfit.
More important than the eclipse, the public met local business owners and employees who were sharing information about products and services they offer.
Retired Mansfield police Officer J. Mark Perry with Gymguyz, was having fun sharing information about his new venture as he worked out in front of his large booth area.
"We have clients. We do corporate fitness for companies now. People just love us. We serve the Mansfield area mainly. We also do Canton and Ashland and all the areas in between," he said.
Perry said Ggmguyz is thriving. "We're doing so well we need to hire more trainers," he said.
Sam VanCura of Ontario, was eating a crab cake and a cannoli, courtesy of Hudson & Essex chef Siera Carver and the downtown Mansfield eatery's events coordinator, Sara Hammett, whose table was extremely popular.
VanCura said he went to the expo because he likes knowing what's going on in the community with so many new businesses.
Carla Wrasse promoted the St. Peter's annual Easter Bake Sale and her mother Jean Wrasse's American Graphics screen printing business on Ashland Road. Next to her table was Nyte-Flyte Entertainment, which was showcasing the Wit to Fit Game Show, specializing in corporate interactive team-building events. Wrasse'shusband, Jeff Angelini, is the owner.
Chamber member Doc Stumbo and past Miss Ohio Teen Cassandra Kurek, of Bucyrus, sampled meatballs and more at Exclusively Yours Catering, where staff were serving up cheese and other hors d'Oeuvres.
While the public filled bags given to them at the door by the chamber with all kinds of things, Coldwell Banker's Morgan Armstrong gave guests a chance to spin a wheel for a free T-shirt.
Dan Kreisher, a former Ontario mayor, gave it a spin and won a T-shirt, which he said he would give to his wife.
Armstrong said it's her second time at the expo. "Love it," she said.
Vang and Victor Enriquez, the new owners of Sun Graphics in Mansfield, and production manager Randy Stiteler handed out solar glasses and cups with a photo of the sun and more to help residents be prepared for April 8.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland Area OH Chamber's eclipse-themed business expo a big hit
