Home, sport, farm and garden show slated this weekend

The local radio station is hosting an all-new event this year -- the 2012 All Hit 103.9 FM Home, Sport, Farm and Garden Show.

All Hit 103.9 KOMB/KMDO has taken charge of the annual occasion, which this year will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Arnold Arena on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

For decades, the event has given area businesses a chance to gain exposure.

"It's an opportunity for business merchants to show their wares to a large group of people all at one time," Fort Scott Broadcasting owner Tim McKenney said.

McKenney said organizers added the word "sport" to the name of the show this year to appeal to merchants offering hunting and fishing products, and other outdoor items and equipment.

"We wanted to give an opportunity to all vendors in the area," he said.

Vendors at the event will be offering not only home decor, food, kitchen items and furniture, but products related to hunting and fishing, farm and garden equipment, and much more.

The radio station hosted the event several years ago and has been a co-sponsor for several years during the time the show was organized by the Fort Scott PRIDE organization and benefited PRIDE projects throughout the community.

"We were asked if we were interested in doing the show again and we accepted, and here we are," McKenney said.

Organizers have worked more to promote and advertise the show than in past years.

"We've increased the size of the show, the number of vendors and the type of vendors," McKenney said. "We're promoting more in Southeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri."

Other changes this year include more giveaways and prizes. Hours for the show have also been revised. In the past, the show took place on Saturday and Sunday, but because Sunday attendance has usually been pretty light, the days were changed.

A total of 69 businesses have registered for the event. The inside of the arena, which has space for 52 booths, is sold out. McKenney said there will be space outside the venue for additional vendors. All of the indoor booths will be separated with curtained backdrops.

"We think it will be a nice show," McKenney said.

The cost per booth has increased this year to $200, or $220 for booth space that also includes an eight-foot covered table, two chairs and a trash can. The price includes an advertising package that features a large booth, electricity if needed, exhibitor parking, security during non-show hours, acknowledgement of participation in the show on the radio station's website, 25 30-second radio ads and other benefits.

McKenney said the event is a promotion for the radio station and all proceeds will go toward the station.

Last year's event included about 25 different exhibitors from the area, door prizes, demonstrations and free samples.