It's Not Too Late to Check Out the Business & Community Expo

There's booths giving away prizes, drawings, expo bingo and more at the 2011 Business and Community Expo until 4 p.m. today at Lake Zurich High School.

Hosted by the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, there are more than 100 booths, enterntainment, refreshments and the chance to meet and greet local business owners, elected officials and members of the community.

Among plenty of other things, attendees can play Expo Bingo and have a chance to win an iPad.

Miss Illinois Whitney Thorpe-Klinsky is walking the aisles until about 2 p.m. today to meet and greet expo attendees.

"It's been fantastic," she said. "There's a lot of great booths."

"The people are very friendly and its been a great experience," said the native of New Baeden. She'll relinquish her crown to the next Miss Illinois in July.

There are many different booths serving many purposes.

"I get face time with the public," said Craig Taylor, 19th District Lake County board member, who has a booth at the event. "I get to meet and talk with my constituents. 

He finds the expo valuable to learn what's important to people in his district.

Down the same aisle, David Heyden, public works director, is distributing pamphlets to educate residents about ash borers that are infesting trees in town.

Smart Schools Bright Futures has a booth to help show the public why getting more computers for Community Unit School District 95 schools is necessary. The not-for-profit group is raising funds to that end. 

Lake Zurich Patch has its own booth where you might be able to pick up some free Patch parephernalia like a Patch pen, canvass bag or magnet.

Two stages offer entertainment in the two different sections of the expo.