A successful combination of fun fair and business exposition, the Lindenhurst-Lake Villa Chamber of Commerce Spring Fest Expo was packing in crowds for the 12th year in a row this weekend.
About 2,300 visitors were expected Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, at the Expo, held at Lakes High School in Lake Villa, according to Chamber Executive Director Connie Meadie.
Late Saturday morning, families streamed in through the entrance to be greeted by an organized circus atmosphere. A stilt-walker/juggler towered over the entrance, and clowns, face-painters and various costumed characters mingled with the crowd through a maze of booths rented by local and regional businesses and agencies. A bouncy house for the kids waited near the end of the stroll.
It wasn’t a bad way to spend a chilly Saturday for Nishant Unnikrishnan, his wife and their two young girls.
“We moved to Lindenhurst last year and this is a way to find out what’s going on in the community,” he said. “We can see local businesses and we’re also looking for preschools and things for the girls to do.”
Meadie said the event has grown over the years into a project that takes months to prepare for, but is worth the work.
“I think it really promotes a sense of community,” she said. “So many of the exhibitors are local and it gives everyone a look. Obviously we want to encourage everybody to shop locally.”
With growth and business picking up in the area over the past couple of years, reflecting a national trend, Meadie said the atmosphere is more enthusiastic.
“Most of the people in these booths really know how to engage people,” she said.
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One example would be Dr. Pamela Preston of the Lindenhurst Animal Hospital, who brought her 3-year-old German shepherd Etham to the animal hospital’s booth, instantly upping its interest among children and dog-lovers.
“He wants to kill the vacuum, but he loves kids and loves people,” Preston said of the large, friendly dog.
Meadie said a “really strong kids area” is one of the main draws, as are the entertainers and events like the Sunday morning pancake breakfast run by the Lake Villa Lions Club.
“It makes for an eclectic blend,” she said.
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