MTZ Chamber Expo to be held on September 11

By BLAKE FAITH
Staff Writer

The Mt. Zion Chamber of Commerce Expo and Taste will be held on September 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Expo returns after nearly a year and a half absence.

The history of the Expo goes back to being hosted at the Mt. Zion high school. The Expo’s location is now at the Mt. Zion Convention Center.

Linda Harper has been the administrator of the chamber for the last three years. Harper has a committee that does a vast majority of things, but Harper does a lot of different things. She is the only paid employee and is part time.

The March 2020 Expo was cancelled the day before due to dangers of COVID-19. This year in March, Harper and her committee felt like it was too soon to host.

Usually there are 2,000 people that attend the Expo. Usually the attendance is counted by the amount of bags that were leftover at the end of the Expo.

Since the event is on 9/11, there will be a memorial. The memorial will include the honor guard presenting the flag and colors, the choir from the Mt. Zion high school will sing and there will be a speech about the events of 9/11. The memorial will start at 10:30 a.m.

There will be different businesses and organizations that will be there. Among that list are Mt. Zion District Library, Mt. Zion Police Department, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and the Mt. Zion Convention Center. We have an Expo game where they have a chance to win a $250 cash prize. They have that every year. The event is sponsored by Scott State Bank.

The tasting part of the Expo will include tasting samples from different places. You can get seven tickets for $5 and there will be free Pepsi products at the Expo. The taste vendors are: Del’s Popcorn of Mt. Zion, Refreshment Services Pepsi, Subway, The Kitchen of Doris Yoder and Wildflour Artisan Bakery

There will be entertainment from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that will include two fashion shows.

Harper’s overall message to the readers and the community is for people to come out and support these businesses and organizations.

“Please come out and visit all the businesses and organizations and learn what products and services they have, sign up for their drawings,” Harper said. “Sign up for the Chamber’s drawing for the Expo that’s being sponsored by Scott State Bank for the chance to win $250.”