Women’s Expo this weekend

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WORTHINGTON – The fifth annual Daily Globe Women’s Expo Health and Home Show promises to be another year of fun with food, wine and giveaways galore.

Scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Worthington campus, the expo will feature more than 80 booths showcasing products and services from various businesses and seminars catering to women’s interests.

A highlight toward the end of the event will be the drawing of door prizes sponsored by local businesses Johnson Jewelry, Hy-Vee Worthington, Slumberland Furniture and a group of three agencies: First State Bank Southwest, First State Insurance Agency Southwest, and Investment Centers of America

“The prizes will be phenomenal,” said Daily Globe advertising manager Dona Ellerbroek. “We usually have three door prizes, but this year we have four.”

Johnson Jewelry owner Jeff Johnson explained that this year’s gift is a 52-point diamond pendant necklace valued at $1,729.

“We try to do it right because we want to give away something that people will appreciate,” Johnson said of the prize’s selection.

He added popular jewelry at the store is usually of the white gold and diamond varieties.

“Every year we enjoy being out there because maybe we’re reaching out to someone who doesn’t know us, or maybe we just get reacquainted with our customers in an informal setting,” he said.

New to the prize sponsorship this year is First State Bank Southwest, First State Insurance Agency Southwest and Investment Centers of America. A lucky Expo attendee will receive a gift basket courtesy of the agencies. The basket, valued at about $600, is a collection of gift certificates from local businesses including Graham Tires, El Azteca and Avalon School of Cosmetology.

In support of the Go Local campaign, First State Bank Southwest Marketing Director Chinelle Christensen explained that the goal is to urge customers to “bank, shop and dine local.”

“Last year we had gift baskets at our booths, so this is something new,” she added. “We really want people to support their own local business.”

A third door prize will be a $500 gift certificate from Hy-Vee Worthington.

“They can use it for anything really — for Caribou (Coffee), for gas, or for groceries,” said Hy-Vee dietician Greta Farley. “The Expo has always been a big thing for us.

Farley added that she will be providing health-related information at the Hy-Vee Heart Healthy Booth on Saturday.

Finally, attendees stand a chance to win a five-piece, Halifax Collection dining room set sponsored by Slumberland.

“It’s a counter high table with storage space at the bottom, so it’s not your typical dining room set,” said Slumberland owner Krista Petersen about the set, which is valued at $1,099. “The Expo is a great event for women, and we’re glad to be a sponsor for it.”

Tickets for the Women’s Expo are available in advance from the Daily Globe office, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Sanford Worthington Clinic and Sanford Worthington Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop. Attendees may also purchase tickets at the door on Saturday.

Daily Globe Reporter Ana Anthony can be reached at 376-7322.

Tags: women’s expo, news