For the better part of the last 20 years, the Veterans Memorial Center in Tracy has been home to the Prairie Women’s Expo. And one of the organizers of this year’s 20th annual event says they’re looking forward to another successful day. And good weather for the April 5 party wouldn’t hurt, either.
Organizer Casey Schmidt said there will be more than 60 vendors at this year’s show.
“The vendors, we’ve got someone coming from Clements, Russell … we’re getting some new ones to go with our regulars,” said Schmidt. “We also have some non-profits coming — quilters, ‘Help Tuck Them In.’ We’ve got some youth who will be there, too, with their crafts.”
The popular “Squeeze the Stuffins" will return this year, and Vicki Towne will offer a paintable crafts addition where those 5-and-up can create their own art.
There will also be three local food vendors — Tracy Food Pride and Squatch Coffee & Eats, as well as walking tacos provided by the youth group from Tracy Lutheran Church.
“There are a lot more places doing spring shows now, but I’ve had several vendors say that this is the best spring show,” Schmidt said. “It’s sometimes tough because people want to be outside. And fall shows, people are buying for Christmas. But we’ll have some garden stuff, that will be outside.”
Last year’s Bloody Mary and mimosa bar, put on by Boxcar Liquors, proved popular enough to bring back for 2025.
“That went over well last year,” Schmidt said. “It’s nice to have to sit down with your meal.”
The event begins at 9 a.m.,
and the first 200 people will receive “goodie bags.”
"We'll probably be filling the bags next Wednesday or Thursday,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt added that the show’s success makes it easy to promote.
“It kind of sells itself,” said Schmidt, who sat on the original expo committee. “We had about 10 on the committee when it started. Cookie Cooreman was the one that approached me. We had 35 vendors the first year, and I re member being pretty pleased with that.”
