AEight-year old Agnes Fleischauer of Arlee danged at the end of a giant bright pink elastic-style band in front of Polson High School Saturday.

Her raven hair, which flung around her tiny head at will with her movements, stretched toward the grass. Her arms spread widely and her electric smile radiated from her upside-down face.

Fleischauer was in Polson to visit her grandmother and while visiting, Fleischauer got the chance to join the rest of her Hot Springs-based aerial arts team who traveled to Polson so they could showcase their high-flying skills, their teacher and their unique art form at the Mission Valley Trades Fair and Business Expo.

Across the grass, a new catering company buzzed with activity. Nearby, folks at a tractor company and a chemical cleaning company shared glances with one another and enjoyed talking to those who walked by.

Sponsored by Anderson Broadcasting, the expo showcased a variety of businesses and was open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

A steady stream of fair goers made their way across the Polson High School grass, through the front lobby and cafeteria area and wound around the rows of business booths that filled the high school’s gym.

Music blasted from the school’s speakers, charging the trade floor with energy as business’ employees busily interacted with the public. 

Dentist Amber Daily handed out cards and dental-related gifts to customers near the door. Daily and her twin sister, dentist Aimee Gustafson, shared smiles and information about their dentist’s office in Ronan and said the expo was a good chance to let the public know who they are.

Volunteers from Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, shared their message of help to abused and neglected children with anyone who stopped by. Employees of Mission General Store in St. Ignatius gave away cheese, meat sticks and potato chip samples to a curious crowd who waited patiently in line to try the culinary treats. 

Around the corner a nurse stood ready at the St. Luke Community Hospital booth and performed free blood pressure and diabetes checks to those who ventured into the hospital’s space, and organizers of this year’s Women 4 Wellness event pre-registered participants who want to attend their event May 19. 

But outside the gym, Fleishauer and her group of aerobatic peers swung away in the spring sun. 

Isabella Myton, 13 and Erica Cannon, 8, both of Hot Springs took turns with their teammates to show off the fine art of aerial arts.

Led by Raven Summer, the aerial arts gymnastics class is a SAMSA-sponsored program that runs in Hot Springs and Polson and serves about 30 kids presently.

Kids who participate in the learn how to maneuver their body through a large rubber band-like device that twists and twirls them through the air. Aerial art is a great way for kids to express their creativity during physical activity, Summer said.

Fleishauer’s group meets regularly in Hot Springs. The Polson group meets on Tuesday and Thursday at the Montana Co-op on Main Street.