By Samantha SLAYBACK

On Wednesday, Sept. 9 the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce along with the La Cañada and Montrose chambers will be hosting their annual Foothills Community Business Expo. The Expo will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and can be accessed through the main entrance around the back of the hospital.

The event is conducted each year as a fun, free way for community members to come out and familiarize themselves with the local foothill businesses.

“It’s a great way to meet neighbors and discover local businesses,” said CV Chamber advisor Jean Maluccio. “We want people to know businesses in the area; we want to support them because they support all of us.”

A wide variety of businesses are expected this year. The majority of booth spaces have already been filled with businesses ranging from dentists’ offices and maid services to real estate agencies and restaurants. Sixty exhibitors are expected to display at the Expo.

While the types of businesses vary, most will have one thing in common: handing out promotional goodies. For this reason, bags will be provided for guests to help carry things they collect along the way. In addition to the handouts, seven local restaurants will be providing samples of their food, making the Expo a great place to stop in for some food after work.

The number of booths on-site reaches maximum capacity every year, so variety is ensured, but the food and fun doesn’t end there.

“We offer a ‘passport’ to everyone who comes through,” said Maluccio. “If they get the passport signed by all of the businesses at the Expo and bring it back to the chamber information booth, they get a prize!”

If the promise of food and prizes wasn’t enough, there will also be music in the Expo and free document shredding offered in the lower USC-VHH parking lot. Attendance to the Expo is also free. This wouldn’t be possible without support from the community businesses, including USC-VHH.

“Each year, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital generously allows us to use their facilities for our Expo free of charge,” said Maluccio. “They do it solely to show community support.”

There is a fee of $100 for local businesses that want to take part in the event and reserve a booth space. Those interested in reserving a booth, have any questions regarding attending or becoming involved in the event, can call the CV Town Council at (818) 248-4957.

  Samantha SLAYBACK