The Richmond-Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce has succeeded in creating a buzz within northeastern McHenry County for its 2015 Home, Health, and Business Expo. The sheer volume of participants has forced the annual event to be moved to a larger site, after making the decision based on more accommodations, and attracting an unprecedented 120 vendors.

More than 60 businesses and a like number of craft vendors, applied for space inside the three areas of the Richmond-Burton community high school gymnasium to display their products and wares. The majority came from the local municipalities, although many vendors will travel from downstate Illinois and central Wisconsin.

“It is my understanding that people indicated an excitement stemming from fresh blood at the chamber board level, with a renewed focus in the community and doing good for the community,’ said the chamber’s Executive director Tom Henning. “We’re getting everyone involved from non-profit to small business entities.”

For the last three years, the event was held at Richmond’s Nippersink middle school. The increased awareness led to the high school’s site which had larger parking capacities and an ability to expand the indoor square footage for more booths and demonstrations The expo takes place Feb. 28, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., with free admission.

“To get the word out, we used email blasts, chamber members talking it up at other events like mixers and tech nights,” said Henning. “It hasn’t really taken off until this year, since we’ve never had that many vendors before, especially in the few years prior to this.”

Polly Fishback, a 22-year chamber member and Richmond bank branch manager, has watched the event grow steadily. “It’s wonderful that we’ve busted out into bigger surroundings because it’s easier accessibility, more room to move around, and the parking is better suited to this type of gathering.

“I’ve worked with the expo as a participant and attendee over the years, and it’s grown so much that we had to move,’ she said. “This is what highlights revitalization in the business community, through chamber efforts and networking to make other events more viable to benefit non-profit organizations.”

In addition to grand prize drawings for a charcoal, and gas, Weber grill, other features include a 50/50 raffle, medical screenings, entertainment, and two radio stations conducting live broadcasts from inside the building. The Spring Grove police department makes its entrance with their K-9 unit, as part of the children’s activities.

“Five sponsor members have also contributed $500 each, which is also a first,” said Henning. “There really has been a renewed interest in the business community, of late. A wine walk last Sept. drew approximately 300 people into Richmond’s historic downtown district and other spots, something that you want to see happen giving residual action to peripheral businesses.”

The school, located at 8311 Route 31 in Richmond, also has an entrance on Tryon Grove Road. “Volunteer groups from the Spring Grove boy’s and girl’s scout troops, along with the high school’s National Honor Society, will be there to assist people in getting around,” he said.

“All in all, this is a true community effort and a real surprise. It’s representative of northern Mc Henry County, and I still can’t believe the turnout.”