EATON — Despite some cold temperatures, sleet and snow, the Preble County Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Business Expo last weekend. On Friday and Saturday, April 8-9, the Preble County Fairgrounds Expo Building was flooded with people experiencing all the participating businesses offered.

After two years of being postponed, participants said it was great to see the community come together. The event included activities for all ages, including bounce houses for the children and a small petting zoo brought by Safari Junction. MedFlight 8’s medical helicopter also flew in on Saturday.

The attendees enjoyed food, prizes, and other activities, with well-known businesses ranging from The Stable to Summit Chiropractic, and around 90 other exhibits, making it an event the whole family could enjoy.

Many of the exhibitors noted the event went well, said there was a great turn out and that it was great to remind the community of all the different types of businesses available to them in the area.

Chamber Executive Director Karen Moss estimated around 1,000 people were in attendance.

“People are itching to get out of the house,” she said. “With the weather being a challenge and potentially dropping attendance, it was still an amazing turnout for the event and everyone involved.”

Moss and other member of the Chamber of Commerce will be having a post-event-discussion to discuss the event. Moss said the Expo “will be bigger and better next year.” With the first year she’s had in planning the event being a success, Moss, who has an extensive background in event planning in the past, plans to be sure to not disappoint next year.

The event could not have happened without the help of grand sponsorships provided by Reid Health, Kettering Health, Premier Health, the Preble County Safety Council, Henny Penny, and Wallace Heating & Air, as well as many other event sponsors.