DeKALB – Lindsey Martin, a longtime resident of DeKalb currently living in Malta, had never attended the annual DeKalb/Sycamore Chambers of Commerce Community Expo.
But after hearing about it on 102.3 The Coyote, she thought it would be a good opportunity to check out some of the local businesses, not to mention trying to score some Jason Aldean tickets from the radio station while she was there.
The annual event was held Thursday at DeKalb High School. Rosalie Williams, administrative assistant with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, said there were about 120 vendors in attendance, which is a typical turnout.
While many residents may have come for the first time, some vendors also were new to the whole experience.
Ben Weaver, owner of The Music Connection, a full-service music studio that offers private and group lessons in Sycamore, admitted he was a “rookie” to the expo and was trying to learn as he went.
“I’ve been meeting a lot of great vendors and just trying to make connections,” Weaver said. “I try to be a community supporter because I believe in the power of music and education.”
Didi Dowling, a clinician and parent coach for Parents with Promise, a specialty practice that offers support services for parents who have learning difficulties or adaptive functioning concerns because of mental health, also was a first-time vendor.
Parents with Promise services include individualized counseling, individually assigned parenting coaches, specialized parenting classes and advocacy. Dowling said they also offer programs dealing with teen pregnancy and life skills.
Along with the new faces, there were longtime attendees who still appreciate the fellowship of the event.
Bernard Pupino, career technologies coordinator with Kishwaukee College, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, said he is happy to attend because the expo shows just how much the community has been there for the school.
“We want to show off everything the community has helped us build,” Pupino said. “The community is everything for us.”
State Rep. Bob Pritchard, R-Hinckley, said he tries to make it to the event every year to see what’s on the community’s mind.
“It’s amazing to see nonprofits, schools and businesses trying to reach out and make this a better place to live,” Pritchard said.