The CN Roundhouse and Conference Centre was jam packed with dozens of exhibitors, hundreds of interested visitors and not only one but two bouncy castles on Saturday (Sept. 18).
It was all due to the first annual Sea to Sky Family Fair, an event designed to inform and entertain families in the Sea to Sky region.
The event attracted 401 people, which was a pleasant surprise to organizer Kay Protheroe.
"We were initially hoping between 250-300 people so this total greatly exceeds our estimates for the first year," she said. "I think it's been a huge success and the response has just been fantastic."
Protheroe said a number of the people attending the event told her they were impressed by the information available and the variety of exhibitors at the fair.
She also said she hopes to see the event grow slowly and become bigger, adding that it will become an annual event.
Lucy Pomroy, who made the trip from Whistler specifically for the fair, was impressed by the event.
"They've got a great range of exhibitors," she said. "It's also really good they have stuff for the kids."
Pomroy, who brought along her two children, said the exhibitors were quite useful and informative, pointing out the dental and diet experts as her favourites.
She also expressed a desire to see a few more exhibitors from Whistler.
Squamish resident Jules D'Entremont agreed that the many different exhibitors helped make the fair a success.
"I found almost all of it informative," she said, as her two children jumped in the bouncy castle. "It's good to see the diversity and all the sorts of different businesses we have in this community."
She added that next year it might be a good idea to add more food vendors as the only food available was a cart provided by the West Coast Railway Heritage Park.
Rachel Boguski, one of the 28 different exhibitors, said the event has been a great way to promote her business.
"I think this event has been great," she said. "We're so happy with the amount of people that have been to our table and also surprised by how well-known we've become in a short time.
Boguski, along with Lori Faulkner co-founded the Squamish Mom website back in June. The website is designed to inform local moms of kid-friendly tips, resources and information to help them raise their children.
"For a first time event I think it's gone really smoothly," she said of the fair. "I think this event is going to just get bigger and bigger."
Boguski also pointed out that the Trinity Romance shop will be hosting a "Yummy Mommy" event on Thursday (Sept. 23) starting at 7 p.m. The event is designed to offer moms some tips on time management and how to keep the flames of passion ignited. A $5 donation to the local food bank or a can of food is all it costs to take part.
For more information, contact the Trinity Romance shop at 604-892-2266.
