To encourage North Carroll residents to shop close to home, the Hampstead Business Association is sponsoring its 12th annual Business Expo.
Nearly 65 businesses and nonprofit organizations will be touting their wares from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at North Carroll High School on Hampstead-Mexico Road. Admission is free.
"This is an opportunity for people to see what Hampstead has to offer the community," said Dot Warehime, who is organizing the business fair for the second consecutive year. "We have everything you can think of."
Entertainment for this year's expo will feature students from the Rhythm in Shoes dance school from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; the North Carroll Ensemble between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.; and an auction at 2:15 p.m.
"About the time we close out, we will be giving away a color TV and VCR combination with remote," said Ms. Warehime, manager of Rittenhouse Fuel Co.'s Hampstead office.
Auction items will include a Black & Decker power tool, a marble clock from Union National Bank, a garage door opener from C&D; Garage Doors, 500 business cards from J&K; Graphics and two golf umbrellas from Farmers and Merchants Bank, Ms. Warehime said.
A tote bag with gifts from the North Carroll branch of the Carroll County Public Library, a pair of sunglasses and a tote bag from Hampstead Sports and a $50 gift certificate from A Grand Affair catering also will be auctioned, she said.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit a Hampstead area organization, Ms. Warehime said.
For example, the association gave money to the Hampstead Volunteer Fire Department, the Hampstead Ambulance Fund and the North Carroll Band Boosters last year.
"We'll decide that at our next meeting," Ms. Warehime said. "Maybe we'll decide to buy books or sponsor a children's program at school. It hasn't been decided yet."
Other exhibitors at the expo -- many of whom will be giving away gifts -- include Sleepy Hollow Herbs and Gifts, Eagle Embroidery, Hampstead Sports, Bob's Variety and the new Busy Bee Preschool, which is seeking students, Ms. Warehime said.
Several area banks and real estate offices also will be on hand to discuss their services, she said. Business exhibitors were charged $40 a space to cover the $2,800 cost of running the business fair, Ms. Warehime said.
"You get to meet your merchants and have a personal conversation with them," Ms. Warehime said. "If you have a lot of questions, you can ask about a product and see for yourself."
Food booths at this year's fair will include Domino's with pizza and chicken wings, subs and soda from Subway and a yet-to-be-named girls' sports team will be selling baked goods and coffee.
As in previous years, the expo is being presented in conjunction with Hampstead Rotary's pancake breakfast at Hampstead Fire Hall, open from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Cost is $3.50 in advance and $4 at the door.
Children ages 7 and younger are admitted free.