With over half of the city’s workforce comprised of small businesses, a weekend event to highlight the community only made sense for Amy Simmons.
Simmons, with Dancers Dream, along with other organizers is presenting the inaugural Summer Time Business Expo on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County.
“We wanted to have this event to highlight local businesses in our community,” Simmons told the Elizabethton Star Thursday. “It is a great opportunity to come out and support our local small businesses in the area.”
Over 10 businesses will be represented, including Thirty-one, Lula Roe, Plunder, Young Living, Down Home Designs, Dancers Dream, It Works, Color Street, Tupperware, Kimberly’s Cupcakes, Paparazzi, Bath Fitter, Keto Os and the American Cancer Society during the afternoon.
“Businesses still have an opportunity to sign up for the expo,” Simmons said. “The Boys and Girls Club has been amazing to work with and have been very supportive. The cost to set up as a vendor is $30, and we can accept people the day of the event. We already have a lot of businesses, but we can accept more.”
Providing an expo to showcase the small businesses offers individuals an opportunity to see the heart and soul of Elizabethton, according to Simmons.
Small businesses make up 95 of businesses in Elizabethton, according to a proclamation presented by City Council for Small Business Week, and employee over 4,300 individuals.
“It is very important to support local businesses,” Simmons said. “We have some many different businesses in the community that we hope to spotlight. We want to encourage people to shop local and to continue supporting our businesses in the community.”
The weekend expo will also include dancer and pageant titled “Summer Time Dolls,” which is also open to the public.
“It will be a great day to support the community and have fun,” Simmons said.
Interested participants for the pageant can sign up the day of the event. The categories range from newborn to senior (16 years old and up), and awards will be presented. A $10 registration fee is required to take part in the event.
For more information on how to get involved, contact either Simmons at (540) 392-9138, Jackie Parlier at (423) 440-929 or, Diane McKinney at (423) 707-4153.