Spring Fest, Business Expo is Saturday

By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

The Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce and The Acorn newspapers are making final preparations for the 2005 Spring Fest and Business Expo Sat., April 9 at Oak Park Community Center.

The event will feature live entertainment, activities for children, food and drink samples from area restaurants and vendor booths hosted by dozens of local businesses.

Top raffle prizes will be given away, and proceeds will benefit the Agoura and Oak Park high school activity funds.

Patricia Soteras, Chamber executive director, said the expo is an excellent way for residents to become acquainted with the many businesses that operate in their community.

"Businesses, they’re the ones that keep the community alive," said Soteras. "If it wasn’t for businesses, there wouldn’t be an Agoura."

Astrid Schein, office manager for Agoura Family Optometry, said having a booth at the expo will be a good way to introduce herself to the community. The optometry office opened last year.

"We’re anxious to let people know we’re here," Schein said.

During the last four years the Chamber has grown from several hundred members to more than 1,000.

Among the members is Orion Tile and Marble. The Agoura Hills company participated in last year’s expo at Whizin’s shopping center in Agoura Hills. That event didn’t include the wide range of activities that this Saturday’s will have. Activities will be indoors and outdoors.

"It’s always been the Chamber’s goal to reach out to the community," said Louis Masry, Chamber of Commerce president. "Spring Fest and Business Expo 2005 will be an excellent get-acquainted opportunity."

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Oak Park Community Center, 1000 Kanan Road in Oak Park. The lush and attractive Oak Canyon Park is right next door.

Admission is free. Call the Chamber at (818) 889-3150 for information.