Planning of Attleboro's Free Expo for the Senses Under Way;Sponsors Still Needed

Planning for the 2011 Expo for the Senses is well under way in Attleboro. The event, which takes place annually in downtown Attleboro, is scheduled for Saturday, June 25, from noon until 5 p.m.

 The Expo, now in it’s third year, highlights everything local: local food, local arts, crafts, and jewelry, local musicians, etc., in an effort to “arouse enthusiasm and interest” and “promote pride” in the downtown area and businesses.

The 2011 Expo for the Senses is “for Attleboro residents,” says Dianne Faulk Thurber of Cardinal Marketing, who is handling public relations for the Expo. “We have plenty of things to see, to taste, to touch and to hear.”

 Some of those offerings will include samplings from 15 area restaurants, a Live Music tent, and locally made jewelry and other crafts.

Attleboro’s youngest residents will particularly enjoy this year’s event, according to Thurber.  

“We are bringing in more activities for children at this year’s Expo," she said. "There will be a Decorated Bike and Carriage Parade, and a Five -Lane Climbing rock wall.

"These new attractions will be in addition to three face painters, one balloon artist and a caricaturist," Thurber added. All of the activities are free to kids of all ages."

Equally exciting for children will be “Chalk on the Walk” and the Children’s Jewelry Design Contest, both new this year. Artists of any age can register to help decorate the sidewalks of Attleboro, with prizes for the best works of chalk art. The winning design from the Jewelry Contest will be fashioned into a piece of real jewelry by Nancy Young of . The piece will be on display throughout the day of the Expo.

 Admission to the Expo for the Senses is free, along with most of the activities inside. Part its mission is to “provide free activities so families can enjoy Attleboro’s downtown,” says Thurber.

She also says that fundraising has been the “largest challenge” involved in planning for the Expo, adding,  “All of our fundraising is used to put on the five hour event, so the more we raise the more fun we can offer.”

One way Attleboro is raising funds for the Expo by selling Light Pole Banner sponsorships at $225 a piece. Sponsors will have their business name displayed at the bottom of the banner. Thurber says the banners should be up next week and says it “really beautifies the downtown.”

Organizers still need a sponsor for the Rock Wall, which comes with a $2,000 price tag.

Information about the Expo is available on the city's website.The rain date is Sunday, June 26, but, according to Thurber, “it won’t rain!”