RUMFORD — People living in the River Valley will have a chance on Saturday, Sept. 19, to find out just what services and products are available to them in their home area.

“Hopefully, people will really take the time to see what we have for resources,” said Yvonne Allen, who with Cheryl Dickson, is co-chairing the River Valley Expo.

This is the fifth year businesses, social service-, medical- and arts-agencies, municipalities and others have put what they have or offer on display for all to see. The event began in 2003, took 2006 and 2007 off, then returned last year.

The free event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in and around Mountain Valley High School, is a chance to visit dozens of booths inside the gym, as well as several new events.

Among the new businesses slated to staff booths is Uncle Henry’s, a popular find-practically-anything guide.

A chowder challenge, with 10 area restaurants scheduled to participate, takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria. Expo visitors will have a chance to taste the chowders, then cast their votes for their favorite. All proceeds from the event go to the Rumford Hospital Auxiliary.

Also new, and also in the cafeteria, will be a cluster of medically-related organizations with some offering screenings and health presentations. Among the participants are Community Dental, Tri-County Mental Health, Swift River Health Care, Rumford Hospital and the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition. A dietitian will be on hand to provide information on healthy eating and free blood pressure checks will be given to interested individuals.

Another new event this year is a Market Square shopping opportunity set up outside the high school. Both cottage industries and regular retail businesses will offer a variety of items for purchase.

Also, Community Energy is sponsoring an Energy Education Exhibit, on the stage of Muskie Auditorium, where a representative from the Maine Oil Dealers Association will offer tips on how to conserve energy.

The Relay for Life group will offer a chicken barbecue, cooked on grills located at the rear of the school. Several businesses as well as local police departments, fire departments, and emergency response organizations will also be set up outside the school.

Everyone who attends Saturday’s event will have a chance to fill out a survey about the Expo, and be entered into a contest to win a photo package and prize winning photo from Studio 6, owned by Christal Treadwell of Dixfield. The first 400 or so attendees will also receive a reusable tote bag, sponsored by Franklin Savings Bank.

The Friday night before the public event will be a time for businesses, or anyone with a business card or other business identification, to network with fellow entrepreneurs from 4 to 7 p.m. at the high school.

“We want people to come and spend the time seeing businesses they may not have known what they do,” Allen said.

A small group of volunteers began working on the this year’s Expo soon after the September 2008 event ended.

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