By K.D. Norris
The City of Kentwood is the new home of the annual South Kent Community Expo, an annual effort of the Cutlerville-Gaines Chamber of Commerce, the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce and the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department.
With a timely, football/sports theme, there will be more than 60 booths offering products and services for consumers’ needs, many of them sports themed, as well as food trucks, police and fire vehicles, and other kids activities.
The expo will be held at the Kentwood Activity Center, 355 48th St. SE, on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The 3rd annual South Kent Community Expo is excited to host this community event in its new location, the Kentwood Activities Center — we will have something for everyone,” Lorraine Beloncis, assistant director of City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, said to WKTV. “This year the expo has a football theme, so wear your favorite team’s gear and check out the fun football themed vendor booths.”
Beloncis said the event is an ability to learn about the businesses in our community and what services they have to offer including home improvement, home financing, home services, senior services, library services, colleges, fitness, health and wellness, pet care, banks, retail, hospitality, transportation, volunteer opportunities and employment services.
“We will have several food trucks on site to satisfy your hunger with a variety of delicious options,” Beloncis said. “Families can check out fire trucks, police and sheriff department patrol cars, go through the smoke house to learn about fire safety and participate in a variety of kids activities. As always, there will be lots of freebies, give-a-ways and a chance to win door prizes.”
Flu shots will be provided by Walgreens from 10: a.m. to noon. The cost for a flu shot will be $41 for individuals without insurance.
“With 60-plus businesses attending, there’s sure to be a product or service for everyone,” Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, said in supplied material. “The expo is a family-friendly event designed to showcase the broad range of businesses and organizations who make their home in Southern Kent County.”
The family-friendly nature of the event was stressed by Drew DeVries, executive director of the Cutlerville-Gaines Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We’ll have fire and sheriff’s departments onsite with football-themed games, along with a smoke house simulation for the kids,” DeVries said in supplied material.
As of Friday, Oct. 19, vendor space was still available. Interested businesses/groups should contact Beloncis at 616-656-5278 for last-minute registration.
For more information on the event visit southkent.org or the Kentwood Parks and Recreation events page.
