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At Hayesville's business expo, which was held June 15 and 16 at the middle school gymnasium.
Nearly 35 local businesses and organizations were represented at the expo, which saw a slow start Friday evening before picking up steam Saturday.
Hosted by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, this year's event was the first directed by Scott Massey, the chamber's new executive director. Massey worked alongside of Assistant Executive Director Amber Foerst in addition to a great many other volunteers.
"The vendors that I've talked with are pleased with the response," Massey said. "They seem to be getting a lot of exposure, both with the general public and with other vendors...."
At the gym entrance visitors were greeted by chamber volunteers and asked to enter the "Guess How Many M&Ms" contest, a fun way to get an approximate attendance for the expo.
Over 1,100 guesses were entered, and four were numbers within 30 of the correct one. Hayesville resident Walter Herman won a Clay County Chamber of Commerce afghan with his guess of 2571, only three off of the total of 2,568. The afghan displays historic and unique county sites like the courthouse on the square.
Massey said the chamber had more afghans to sell if anyone was interested, and that the original prize winner would have "the opportunity to debate with [Foerst] to keep the M&Ms."
The color-coated chocolate wasn't the only snack tempting visitors to the expo. Treats like candy or cookies were offered from nearly every business present while only two offered liquid refreshment: one, lemonade, and the other, chilled bottled water.
The expo was a haven for bargainhunters and collectors of freebies. Tables offered everything from pencils and coffee mugs to sewing kits and Band-Aids, in addition to the larger prize drawings held every half hour with winners announced by the chamber.
"In the past [the expo] has only been once a year," said Massey. "We're toying with the idea of having one in the fall, maybe in October... maybe up on the square. It's something we've been discussing but nothing's been set."
Businesses and organizations with booths at this year's event included: The 64 Garden Store, Take-a-Break Portables, America's Home Place, Brasstown Computing Services, Miller Well Drilling, Natahala Bank & Trust Company, Crescent, Eller & Owens, United Community Bank, Remax Oak Forest Reality, Mary Kay, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Chatuge Regional Hospital & Nursing Home, Smoky Mountain Landscapes, United Way, North Georgia Technical College, Custom Blinds, Edward Jones, Mountain Sunrise Reality & Rentals, Pat's Designer Inspired Handbags, Clay County Care Center, Tri- County Community College, Farm Bureau Insurance, High Smith Pool Tables, Indian Hills Spring Water, Murphy Medical Center, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC and the Sentinel.
To comment on this article, e-mail Harrison at hkeely@gmail.com.
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