The 2024 Kid’s Expo doubles in vendors and attendees

WADESBORO — Ballooning to 59 vendors this year, Saturday’s Anson County Chamber of Commerce sponsored 2024 Kid’s Expo was a crowded success.

Taking place under a brilliant Carolina sky at First Baptist Church, young entrepreneurs displayed their goods and honed their sales skills.

“We are very excited about this year’s Kid’s Expo. There are many returning vendors and new faces and businesses this year,” Chamber of Commerce President Sandy Cox said.

One vendor who was present for the 2023 Kid’s Expo is Smitty’s Psycho Sauce. Owned and operated by Eversmith Tallman, Smitty’s Psycho Sauce features the very spicy ghost pepper. Although giving a few hints to its heat, the rest of the recipe is a trade secret. Smitty’s sauces come in a range of heat levels.

“The pepper is boiled down 3-4 hours for our sauces so it is not like you are ever getting the full effect of the ghost pepper’s heat, it’s more the flavor of the ghost pepper,” Eversmith said.

Popular in the Anson County Farmers Market community, 15-year old entrepreneur Amelia Poplin of Handmade Creations by Amelia, took a Saturday off from the Market to return for another year at the Expo. She is in her third year running her company.

“After that I revolutionaized my business, adding more items, and it has grown from there,” said Poplin, referencing the blurp cloth she believes jumpstarted her success.

The Kid’s Expo had customers covered with goods ranging from Charms for Croc Shoes, bird houses, beaded items, crocheted one-of-a-kind gifts, woodworking and displayed artwork. For shoppers in need of refreshment, there were vendors specializing in sweets like lemonade, cookies, Jack’s Snack Attack, and even dog treats.

An annual event, the Kid’s Expo exposes young vendors to new customers, allows them to gain experience in marketing their products, and builds new conections in the community.