Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 08/98) - If this year is anything like other years more than 8,000 people will walk through the doors of the Yellowknife Community Arena this weekend for the 16th annual Spring Trade Show.

"It's sort of the spring fever event," said Cheryl Best, executive director of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, which is organizing of the show.

"It's sort of a carnival atmosphere. You run into the people you haven't seen all winter," she said.

There will be 77 exhibitors at the show and 110 booths, ̃gures on par with other years.

"We have pretty much everything. This year we even have a pony in the show, hot tubs and RVs. You name it, everything."

Demand for a spot at the trade is stronger that ever. Some six exhibitors were turned away from the trade show this year because of space restrictions.

Others have even withdrawn their membership from the chamber out of frustration after being told they were slow on the draw to sign up for the show.

But Best promised that no one who shows up will be disappointed, and they might even be surprised with what they see.

"I think this is an opportunity to see those businesses that don't usually have a storefront. It's fairly simple to go downtown or to Frame Lake and walk into a store and see what they have.

"But a lot of exhibitors in the show are businesses that are off the beaten path and they don't have a store that you sort of just slip into on your way by," said Best.

The trade show gives businesses the personal contact with customers.

Best is not concerned too much about the weather this weekend. It sort of has an odd effect on the show.

"When it's really wonderful out, people go for a walk and walk down to the trade show. When it's really terrible out then they come into the trades show to get out of the weather," said Best.

"I used to think that the weather made a big difference but I'm quite realizing it isn't."

At least ̃ve members from the chamber will be at the show this weekend to make sure that things go smoothly.

Admission is $2. Children under 12 get in free, if they are accompanied by an adult. A day care will be set up by Yellowknife Education District No. 1 at the show so parents can drop off their kids and have a look around.