CHAMBER MERCHANT FAIR SHOWS LOVE IS LOCAL

Warren, RI - This April, a crowd is expected to gather at Highlander Charter School for a local business and family showcase – the East Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Buy Local! Merchant Fair. 

The Buy Local! Merchant Fair, sponsored by Highlander Charter School and The Children’s Workshop, takes place rain or shine, on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at the school, located at 360 Market St., in Warren. This year’s fair promotes the sale and awareness of goods and services produced or found locally – in Rhode Island’s East Bay area.

New this year is the East Bay Chamber’s partnership with East Bay Newspapers. The publishing company is launching its first-ever Summer Camp & Programs Expo, which will be held in conjunction with the Buy Local! Merchant Fair. 

“This is an exciting, one-of-a-kind opportunity for locally-owned and operated businesses to come together in a big way,” said Michelle Cartwright, Chairperson of the East Bay Chamber Board of Directors. “Our Buy Local! Merchant Fair is a showcasing event, highlighting the small businesses that help maintain the economic vitality here in the East Bay.

“Encouraging shoppers to patronize local businesses creates a multiplier effect – dollars spent in the East Bay have a lasting impact on the prosperity of our residents and organizations,” Ms. Cartwright said.

The Fair boasts a selection of 40 local businesses and crafters as well as: face painting, a Rhode Island State Police K-9 demonstration, food trucks, the Gloria Gemma Hope Bus, the Bloodmobile, a fire truck and ambulance, and a performance by the Toe Jam Puppet Band at noon. 

Fair goers will also have a chance to win the door prize – $100 in cash. And they won’t need to be present to claim it. Many of the booths may have their own raffle or giveaways.

“In order to win the door prize, attendees would have to complete a Bingo card,” Ms. Cartwright said. “Everyone gets a card upon entering, and must get a stamp from all the tables in order to be eligible for the door prize.”

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public.