By J.D. O’Gara

Gather up the family and head on over to the Tri-County Regional Chamber on Saturday, March 29th , for the Family Fest & Home Show, to take place at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School, 65 Pleasant St., Upton, from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. The event will feature over 100 local vendors as well as activities for the entire family. Admission is free for each guest with a non-perishable food item for a local food pantry.

 

Laura O’Callaghan, President of the Tri-County Regional Chamber, explains that BVT has previously served as a location for the long-running Family Fest & Home Show. “I’ve been working at the chamber since 2007, and it had been going on for years before I came, over 20 years for sure,” she explains. Last year, the event took place at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, and the Chamber hopes to alternate between BVT and that location every other year to accommodate folks from the 10 towns it serves, which include Bellingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Medway, Mendon, Milford, and Millis. 

“Blackstone Valley Tech people are amazing to work with,” says O’Callaghan, “They’re very supportive of us and are long-time Chamber members.”

O’Callaghan says it’s a Chamber tradition to hold the event at the end of March each year. “People are looking for fun things to do before the kids’ activities begin, before families start gearing up  for the sports season,” says O’Callaghan. “We want to have an interactive day for the whole family, where it won’t cost an arm and a leg to have fun, ” says the Chamber President and CEO. 

In addition to a wide array of vendors and great bargains, family friendly events continue to be added to the Family Fest & Home Show. At press time, the following features were tentatively confirmed:

• Ed the Wizard 

• Free digital photos with the Easter Bunny, courtesy of the Chamber

• Face painter, Art by Simone 

• BVT Robotics Club

• Pie-eating competition (always a riot, says O’Callaghan)

• Smokey the Bear

• Local Bank Mascots

• Mac and cheese competition

O’Callaghan notes that many of the exhibitors will have free giveaways as well.

“The kids will have a great time, and the parents can walk around and meet the local businesses. There’s nothing like meeting face-to-face and having that conversation.”

The networking benefits both potential customers and local businesses. 

“People do business with people they know and like,” says O’Callaghan, adding, “There’s so much in the power of conversation, and there’s great potential to get new leads.” 

While over 100 vendors are expected, there’s still time to sign up. Space, and access to electricity, is first-come, first-serve. The cost for booths varies by size, business, and membership, with discounts for members. For more information on getting a booth at the event, visit https://www.tricountychamberma.org/vendor-registration.

“Any type of business can join in,” says O’Callaghan, “If your product and service caters to homeowners and families, this is where you should be.”

The Family Fest and Home Show also needs sponsors. Those interested in ramping up their brand’s promotional efforts and customer base can choose from five different levels of sponsorship. Deadline for sponsoring the event is March 15th. Visit the sponsorship page for more details at https://www.tricountychamberma.org/family-fest-sponsors .

For updated information on this year’s event, visit 

https://www.tricountychamberma.org/family-fest .