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Chamber Expo hottest spot in town

Photos: Chamber of Commerce Expo

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Brenda Dillman of Dillman Foods (right) serves the grocery store’s fried chicken to Gerri Humphries on Thursday, March 11, during the Chamber of Commerce expo in Middletown.

Staff photo by Gary Stelzer Brenda Dillman of Dillman Foods (right) serves the grocery store’s fried chicken to Gerri Humphries on Thursday, March 11, during the Chamber of Commerce expo in Middletown.

By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 7:26 AM Friday, March 12, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — The hottest spot in town for hanging out over lunch Thursday was the 2010 Chamber Expo at Miami University Middletown as record crowds shuffled in from the rain for free food, entertainment and networking.

By 2 p.m. March 11, 400 people had already come through the doors to check out the 70 booths and food vendors who were handing out free pizza, chicken, sandwiches and desserts. The expo ran from noon to 4 p .m.

Officials from the Chamber of Commerce Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton estimated that by the end of the day, nearly 800 people had stopped by, more than double the amount that attended last year’s event.

With live entertainment from local bands and choirs, Windows 7 demonstrations and prize giveaways, the chamber was making a strong effort this year to draw in residents, which showed at the event, said Susan Crank, an agent with Real Living Realty Services in Middletown.

This was the first time Real Living had a booth at the expo and Crank said she was impressed with the crowds.

“I had a good feeling about this. (The chamber) worked really hard to get people out here,” she said.

People like Alice Mansfield of Colerain Twp. and her daughter, Angela Denmark, who owns a court reporting business in Hamilton, were enjoying learning about businesses, making contacts and collecting freebies.

“I had no idea it was like this,” Mansfield said while gesturing to the crowds and the piles of food she had acquired next to her. “I just think so many good things are happening. I was really surprised.”

Jackie Tyler and her four-year-old daughter Jasmine said they were also first-timers and had “never had so much fun for free,” Tyler said.

“I like the chicken (from Dillman Foods) and the music,” Jasmine said.

Dillman’s fried chicken proved a popular item, and within the first half hour employees had given away more than 200 pieces, the same amount given out during the whole event last year, said Owner Brenda Dillman.

“I cannot believe how much chicken we are giving away. People are coming back for seconds and thirds,” she said as deli cook Connie Lacy loaded the last pan. “This is much bigger than last year and they were here much earlier. We’re just glad to get the word out.”

Yudell Hightower, father of local business owner Steve Hightower, said he and his son attend the expo every year and he had never seen so many people.

“Everything was just great,” he said while enjoying the chicken pot pie soup from the Manchester Inn. “I couldn’t even find a parking spot.”

Ken Short, manager of Bullwinkle’s in Middletown, said he set up a booth this year to get the word out about his restaurant and was glad he did.

“This is a good place for networking,” he said.

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