MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Expo drew between 1,100 and 1,200 people Tuesday, Chamber Director Debbie Doran-Martinez estimated. 

“We’re getting some really good foot traffic,” said Kendyl Crum, with ServiceMaster Restore, a home restoration specialty company. “It’s been really busy and (we’ve had) a lot of good conversation, and that’s important.” 

The theme this year was “Stars, Stripes and Shamrocks,” combining St. Patrick’s Day with the 250th birthday of the United States. The Commercial, Ag and 4-H buildings at the Grant County Fairgrounds were filled with people and booths decorated either in red, white and blue or bright green. 

Karisti Cox, senior living specialist with Brookdale Hearthstone, was decked out in full Uncle Sam regalia.  

“We’re doing a free educational series for people who are looking to learn more about health care needs for their aging parents,” Cox said. “This has been a really great outlet to let people know how to get some free education and free resources in the Columbia Basin.” 

This is the first year that the expo has taken up all three buildings, Doran-Martinez said. Last year, only the 4-H and Commercial buildings were used, and the space was crowded. This year had only eight more exhibitors than last year, but with additional space, there was a little more room between booths. 

Food was supplied by Top Gun Concession & Catering, and also reflected the theme, Doran-Martinez said. 

“We had some wonderful corned beef and cabbage, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day,” she said. 

Most of the exhibitors paid some homage to the themes. Vicki Rivers and Spencer King at LocalTel had matching green shirts, and King had a leprechaun hat, a bright orange beard and a green plaid kilt as well.  Bud Clary Auto Group brought in vehicles, all of which were either red, white or blue. They also had a foam rubber basketball and a small hoop and gave prizes to anyone who could sink a shot. 

“One basket gets a hat,” said manager Brandon Love. “And a young lady made it from (about 15 feet away) and we gave her a detail kit. We’re just having fun.” 

There were prizes for the best costumes and the best booth for either theme, Doran-Martinez said. Cox took first place for best costume. Second place went to Kar Vanerstrom, who was dressed as a shamrock, and third to Barry Sterner of Rue & Sage. 

“Barry was all decked out with some pretty wild shamrock golf pants,” Doran-Martinez said. 

The best-decorated booth went to Pioneer Meadows, with Guild Mortgage as runner-up. Rue & Sage got an honorable mention for their booth as well, Doran-Martines said, but didn’t qualify for a prize because the decorations weren’t aligned with the themes. Columbia Basin Allied Arts’ booth also got an honorable mention for creativity. 

“It was a great time,” Doran-Martinez said. “We thank all of our sponsors for supporting it and the community for coming out and supporting local businesses. We always want to make sure that they shop local first.” 

    Karisti Cox of Brookdale Hearthstone took the Best Costume prize for her Uncle Sam outfit at the Moses Lake Business Expo Tuesday.
  

    Patricia Tapia, right, takes a shot at Bud Clary Auto Group’s basketball hoop at the Moses Lake Business Expo Tuesday, with Sales Consultant Abel Guerra looking on.
  

    Spencer King, left, and Vicki Rivers of LocalTel went all-out for the Irish side of the Moses Lake Business Expo’s theme.
  

    From left: Terrilynn Martin of Movement Mortgage talks with Connie Scott and Rylee Miranda at the Moses Lake Business Expo Tuesday, while 2-year-old Wyatt and 1-year-old Jackson wait patiently in the stroller.