RUMFORD – Marvelous! Amazing! Incredible!
The River Valley Expo has been billed as the place to be. And it sure was on Saturday when hundreds local people and those from away visited some of the 150 booths on display inside and outside of Mountain Valley High School.
“It is fantastic,” said Cam Harrigan of South Rumford. “I’m seeing businesses I had no idea were here.”
That was a general theme throughout the day as people helped themselves to key chains, notepads, balloons and candy, then stuffed them into paper bags. It was almost like trick-or-treating. Many were discovering businesses and services they didn’t know were there.
Bill MacDonald of Mexico and his son, Josh, were visiting the town of Mexico booth. “This is awesome. It’s such a good representation of what’s in the valley, especially when you start at one end and walk to the other. Shopping is changing. People are doing more in the valley.”
Most of the business booths were located in the gym, with others on display in various classrooms, the library and outside the building.
The Mexico booth displayed ordinances, souvenir hats and shirts, and showed how their town was growing.
At the town of Rumford booth, a continuous video showing the natural resources and remarkable architecture, along with interviews with people who live there, was watched by hundreds.
“People have really thought this was wonderful,” said Diane Richard, town manager secretary.
There were financial services, banks, non-profit organizations, several design companies and insurance agencies, and large companies like Calpine and Irving’s. At the Calpine booth, Patti Carigan said people were learning that the power plant in Rumford wasn’t just a “big building on the hill.”
At Irving’s, Angela Varnum was handing out something entirely different – tiny, live spruce trees, and for those with more patience, tree seeds.
Troy Mills, a MVHS graduate left the area, then came back to establish his own business. “At first I had mixed views about an expo. I didn’t know what was here. But I’ll be here next year. We’ve had a very good response,” he said of his travel business.
Shannon Couture had a similar story. He had left his native area a few years ago, then came back to establish Kingmaker Studio, a graphics design company.
“This is the best place to meet the most people in a short time,” he said.
In the library, several health-related exhibits offered advice on how to quit smoking, to prevent alcohol use, and how to relax, as well as information on two hospitals. Lining the halls were the works of about a dozen artists and photographers. And in the classrooms were home-based businesses, several historical societies, civic groups and recreation clubs.
Parents had a chance to drop off their children for free childcare in one of the classrooms where staff from Maureen’s Preschool provided a variety of activities.
Outside, the Rumford Fire Department offered tips on fire safety along with candy and pencils and firemen’s hats. The fledgling Pulp and Paper Heritage Museum displayed various historical artifacts in a caboose, and car and recreational dealerships exhibited their wares.
The Dixfield Historical Society handed out bicentennial frisbees and fans. The health booths offered apples and advice and walking maps. And everyone offered a smile.
“Welcome to the River Valley Expo,” said Rich Allen, one of the greeters at the back door of the school as visitors entered. He then handed them a goodie bag and map of the exhibits.
In the parking lot, a small army of volunteers helped people park their cars. Other visitors were shuttled from the Rumford Elementary School parking lot to the high school.
“This is the best thing that has ever happened to Rumford,” said Sandy Shapleigh, a volunteer at the Central Maine Medical Center booth.
And the owner of one of the few businesses from outside the River Valley, Chris Cannon of Blue Moon Designs, Oxford, said she was greatly impressed by the valley’s first expo. “Oxford Hills doesn’t have anything over this,” she said.
Diane Child, co-owner of Falls Taxidermy and Museum in Dixfield said the expo greatly surpassed her expectations.
“We’ll be here next year,” she said.
Sidebar
On the Friday night before Saturday’s expo, a special networking and awards night was held for businesses. An impartial group of people from outside the area presented the Rumford Falls Times with the honor of having the best booth at the showcase. Roger Whitehouse and Judy Ellis of Riverside Realty were presented with the “Spirit of the Expo” award.
Rosie Bradley, co-coordinator of the event, said Whitehouse got the award for his outgoing, upbeat demeanor.
Also on Friday, Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce President John Williams spoke to the 100 or so people attending about the importance of working together to achieve successful economic goals.
eadams@sunjournal.com
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