Over the past 20 or so years, Becker has been respected as having one the best business expos in the area.

 

The BHS Fieldhouse has been a perfect venue for the exposition, which in past years drew as many as 100 exhibitors and over 2,000 visitors.

 

But in past years, the participation has waned. Fewer exhibitors, fewer visitors - it has gotten a little stale.

 

“Celebrate Becker,” the improvised and expanded expo format, was publicized in the Citizen-Tribune last week.

 

The expo will continue to run at the fieldhouse, but there will be a number of family participation events across the city.

 

It’s an attempt to breathe new life into the expo concept and one we think is worthy of community support.

 

(Some) Minnesotans love Minnesota in winter because it gives them a chance to get snow in their boots and a chill to their cheeks.

 

That’s the hoped-for result with the various outside activities.

 

We will continue to promote them in them in our pages leading up to Celebrate Becker day Feb. 25.

 

So, folks, keep reading the stories and advertisements and make plans to participate in your favorite events. They are there for you.

 

For years, we have heard  concerns from those merchants not attending the expo. For them, it’s an issue of dollars and cents.

 

Most of them conduct regular shop business on that Saturday; plus they are expected to put out extra dollars to finance staff and labor to get a booth set up at the Fieldhouse.

 

Doesn’t make much sense for them, given the fact they haven’t been allowed to charge for products that could very well have been sold at the expo, to “reimburse” them fo the costly investment.

 

The Chamber’s decision to allow merchants to charge for products or services at the expo makes sense.

 

If people see something they want to buy, they should be able to buy. Why stand in the way of letting some commerce go on?

 

Isnt’ that what the Chamber of Commerce is all about?

 

New features Feb. 25 will include the BHS robotics team and a breakfast, a winter medallion hunt, snow sculptures and special events at Pebble Creek Golf Course.

 

Meanwhile, join in the excitement with a new Celebrate Becker shirt, on sale at several Becker stores.

 

Feel the excitement? Get into it and take advantage of lots of wintry fun at Celebrate Becker.