Business Expo & Kids Day 2019 pulls into Madison Depot in July
MADISON – All aboard for a day of fun and celebration of Madison. The Madison Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Business Expo and Kids Day July 27 with a special focus on Madison’s 150th anniversary.
“Our theme this year is Madison Depot 1869, in honor of our city’s sesquicentennial,” said Madison Chamber of Commerce executive director Pam Honeycutt.
Honeycutt said to help celebrate, three dozen rubber chickens will be tossed from the bucket of Madison Fire and Rescue’s ladder truck. Various gift cards will be attached to their legs.
“It’s a fun way to honor our past,” Honeycutt said. “It will be a mini reenactment of one of Madison’s most interesting historical activities. In the early 1930s, Humphreys-Hughes Drug Store would annually release chickens from the top of the building to the crowd below. People came from miles around to try and catch the birds and the merchandise coupons attached to their legs.”
The Business Expo & Kids Day is the Madison chamber’s signature event. The free, family-friendly event will take place July 27 at the Hogan YMCA, 130 Park Square Lane in Madison, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We will have over 60 booths representing the varied businesses in our area,” Honeycutt said. “People can visit each booth and learn more about the amazing goods and services our area offers.”
Food trucks will be on hand throughout the event, including Piper and Leaf, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, Rick’s Barbecue and Domino’s Pizza.
Free activities for children include face painting, balloon animals, bounce house, games, prizes and more.
“We’ll have trackless train rides for the little ones around the outside attractions,” Honeycutt said. “There will also be tours of the HEMSI ambulance and Madison fire truck, as well as Madison Fire and Rescue’s Virtual Reality Trailer for kids to tour. SARTEC will bring their highly-trained rescue dogs to visit with attendees. LifeSouth’s Bloodmobile will be on-hand, as well as the Madison Hospital Mobile Unit with free health screenings.”
Honeycutt also said the Chamber will host some “dunkable” dignitaries in the dunk tank this year. Children can take their best shot at dunking one of the following personalities: Stephen Long, Madison Fire & Rescue firefighter; Johnny Maze, 106.1 WTAK host; or Mason Black, 102.1 WDRM host.
Business Expo & Kids Day draws thousands of area attendees each year. To participate as a vendor, contact the Madison Chamber’s office at 256-325-8317 for details. More information is available at www.madisonalchamber.com.
