The rain that soaked Kent on Saturday morning was great weather for the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber was holding its fifth annual Business and Community Expo at Theodore Roosevelt High School. Chamber executive director Lori Wemhoff was glad the weather forced people into the high school’s gymnasium to see a record number of vendors.

“They can’t work on their yard so they come here,” Wemhoff said.

Eighty-three vendors participated in this year’s expo along with 13 local restaurants to present different businesses in and around Kent. This year’s expo drew more than 1,000 people to see businesses ranging from crafters, homemade businesses and members of the chamber of commerce.

Wemhoff said the expo is a way for members of the chamber to network in one place and give exposure to the different businesses.

“It’s pretty convenient not only for people coming in to see all of these different opportunities but then for these businesses to have the exposure they’re getting as well as the contacts they’re making within the community,” Wemhoff said.

Carl Battaglia, owner of Battaglia’s T & B Garden Center in Kent, was one of the many business owners making an appearance at the expo after participating in previous years. Battaglia said he continues to participate in the expo because of the interaction with people and the exposure it gives his business.

The expo also had its share of new businesses trying to gain the attention of the community.

Dr. Heather Wood and her husband Rob were promoting the Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital, a veterinary practice they plan to open on state Route 43 in May. It has only taken six months to open the practice as the couple is remodeling an existing building.

“We figured that this would be a good way to get our face out in the public, meet the community and introduce ourselves,” Dr. Wood said.

The Kent State Athletic Department had a booth at the expo to generate fan awareness for upcoming sporting events. Bill Spakes, senior sports administration major, said the expo allows the athletic department to market to the community outside the university when most marketing is geared towards students.

Representing the future of downtown Kent was Metis Construction Services. The Brimfield-based company behind the development of Acorn Alley Phase II displayed a 3D rendering of the project following completion and answered questions from the public.

The expo started as an event to help promote the Kent Roosevelt Choir through the use of home-based businesses. As the number of businesses increased, the choir expo was combined with the chamber’s business expo.

The fee vendors paid goes toward the choir’s competition trips, instruments and other expenses. Donna Crews, Kent Roosevelt choir director, said she appreciates the vendors who participate in the expo.

“I make my rounds all morning through the gym where they’re set up and I welcome each one of them,” Crews said. “I thank them for their participation and let them know that they are supporting the choir program here at Roosevelt and I wish them a successful day financially.”

Contact Nick Walton at [email protected].