Stateline Business Expo promises fun for everyone

Fun for the entire family is right around the corner at this year’s Stateline Business Expo as the event returns to Hononegah Community High School's field house. After a break in 2021 due to COVID, this long time popular event is returning the  weekend of Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27, 2022.

Run by the Stateline Chamber of Commerce, the Expo is the perfect opportunity for the public to visit businesses, health and wellness operators,  educators, politicians, non-profit organizations, churches, and much more. The Expo also provides the chance to meet local representatives from local villages, towns or townships. To date, over 50 vendors have signed up to share what they have to offer.

An all-volunteer committee led by Ryan Rydell is ready to welcome the public to this long time tradition. Working alongside Rydell are Anabel Toye - Special Events Chair, Branda LaBuy, George Pleshkewych, Brent Scott, Courtney McReynolds, Eden Meier, and Jenny Sarabia.

Action runs from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.

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Family-friendly events include a Mascot Meet and Greet featuring favorite local mascots. The State Farm Bear, Princess Hononegah, and Snappy the Beloit Snappers mascot will be making an appearance.

Adding lots of fun for the younger generation is a bounce house and an  inflatable obstacle course along with more backyard style games. Food can be purchased  at a variety of food trucks.

Dancing talents will shown by Kids Spot Dance, along with other dance  teams. More entertainment is also being  planned.

The Stateline Business Expo, as it is now called, holds a rich history dating back to the early 90’s. The RORO Expo began under a different name with an idea pitched by Ruth Pennycook, then  Executive Director of the Rockton Chamber of Commerce. In its origin, it was not called RORO. The name “RORO” did not evolve until 1996 after about four years of existence. The name was actually a spin off of BOCO, which stands for Boone County Expo. The original idea for RORO was to have an opportunity once a year for local businesses that didn’t have storefronts to showcase themselves to the public. The main founders of the event were American Family Insurance, Beloit Daily News, and The Rockton Herald along with numerous realtors, local banks and small businesses.

The first expo was held in the main gymnasium of Hononegah High School. Approximately 45 booths displayed their businesses while the Metal Gym was used for non-profit organizations and food vendors. In 1996, the RORO Expo was adopted by the Roscoe  Area and Rockton Chambers of Commerce with a new look and feel. These two Chamber neighbors worked together for one purpose, to showcase our community.

In 2002, the RORO Expo was able to enlarge to over 150 vendors under one roof. This event was able to increase due to the newly constructed Hononegah Athletic Dome. It was at this time that all food vendors, area businesses and non-profit organizations could combine in one location along with entertainment, demonstrations and the new Kid Zone. Over the years more vendors joined in the event. After the dome collapsed, the RORO Expo was held at World Cup and at Roscoe Middle School.

The  Expo is now known as the Stateline Business Expo. By holding the event in the new Hononegah field house, the Stateline Chamber remains true to its roots with a continued focus on regional growth and community partnerships. The public now benefits from a space that is large enough to host a better entertainment area, and that creates an easier traffic flow. More information on the event schedule and details can be found on the Stateline Chamber of Commerce website or on Facebook on the 2022 Stateline Business Expo page.

There is still time for businesses to register for the  Stateline Business Expo. Join the fun while meeting the public and promoting the best there is to offer in the Stateline. As always there is no admission fee for the public.