Promote Your Activity and Recreation Fair

More Exhibits Still Required
Story I wrote for Woodstock Sentinel-Review to promote upcoming Rec & Leisure Fair:

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The annual Woodstock Rec & Leisure Fair bills itself as having something for everyone, and that only becomes a reality after a wide range of exhibitors agree to participate to promote who they are.
This is the eighth year the Woodstock Recreation Advisory Committee (WRAC) has organized this free community event, which is all about finding a place to be involved -- for you or your entire family. Information will be available on minor sports, adult sports, hobbies (photography, crafts, etc), groups who research history, collecting clubs, choirs, dancing, acting, singing, musicians (arts and creative arts), tai chi, fitness, service clubs, and sports clubs to join -- perhaps badminton, cycling, lawn bowling, curling and kids' tackle football.
WRAC has already sent out close to 100 invitations to groups, asking for their participation.
The Fair this year is Sunday, March 4, 1 - 4 p.m., at Cowan Park (indoor soccer complex) off Ridgewood Drive. Admission is always free and door prizes will be awarded.
"(WRAC) decided to change venues for two main reasons," says WRAC committee chair Mark Schadenberg, explaining that the community hall / gymnasium at Cowan Park is larger than Goff Hall at the Southwood facility, which in-turn provides for additional space for both booths and demonstrations.
"We also felt our show would be another vehicle to help promote this terrific new municipal facility which is quickly becoming an option locally for event planners, weddings, fundraisers and banquets," added Schadenberg.
WRAC reminds all groups who invite membership from the public and want to promote exactly who they are, to plan on booking a booth for the fair -- $25 for non-profit organizations, and $50 for for-profit companies, such as fitness centres, golf courses and nutritional advice. If you or your organization have not already received a formal letter from WRAC, contact the committee soon.
"One of the mandates of (the WRAC) is to promote the availablility of all recreation and leisure activities. The Rec and Leisure Fair can only be successful if first we sign up a large cross-section of groups to participate, and then it becomes a successful event when the public attends the show," says Schadenberg. "Whether you're new to the area and seek information on a wide range of interests, or have lived in Woodstock for a long time, people are always looking for something new to be involved with for healthy living or simply feeling more connected to the community."
The Rec & Leisure Fair could be a good venue, for example, for a group seeking to recruit volunteers, for service clubs to invite new members, to learn about tackle football for kids, or tackling a new activity like square dancing.
"It really is an event for everyone to attend from all age brackets and interests," says WRAC vice chair Dan Gray. "This is a great event for a family because it really does depict something our committee (WRAC) believes . . . that Woodstock does have something for everyone."
If you're part of a group seeking more information about booking an exhibit booth, contact Glynis Hill at the City's Community Services department soon at 539-2382.