When the annual Stettler Board of Trade’s Trade Fair takes place this coming weekend, it'll include a wide variety of children's activities on each day of the event.
It's one of the new things happening at this year's event, which, since its inception in 1980, has grown from taking up a single rink at the old arena to filling up two arenas, a lobby, and now parts of the upstairs at the Stettler Recreation Centre.
Every table available has been sold out at the April 10-12 event, according to Stacey Benjamin, manager at the board. “There's roughly 100 booths this year, and it's a great time to go shopping and see all the new products for 2015.”
This year will also feature the Kids Carnival in one of the upstairs rooms at the SRC. The fun-filled place will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and will be run by the Heartland Youth Center. There's no entry fee for the carnival, though donations are welcome, Benjamin said.
On Sunday, starting at noon, a magician will entertain at the carnival, with a balloon artist starting at 1 p.m.
On Saturday, a special and surprise guest will be roaring into town and stopping in at the trade fair, Benjamin said, but she wouldn't elaborate more on the identity of the guest, except to say it'll be a big surprise.
The show runs Friday, 4-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily entry fees are $5 for adults and $3 for children, with children three-and-under getting in for free.
There'll be a bit of everything on display, with food, home decor and renovation, vehicles, clothing and jewelry, electronics, and outdoors just some of the booths that will be on display, Benjamin said.
Don't forget to bring in your key coupons to get a key to unlock Stettler Independent's treasure chest. If your key unlocks the chest, you'll have a shot at winning an instant prize, or be entered into a draw for the main prize – a chair from Wells Furniture. Children can enter into the youth raffle, with a boys' basket and a girls' basket being drawn on Sunday.
The Independent is back in its regular booth, A26, this year. Stop on by and catch up on the news.