RUMFORD – A video chronicling Rumford’s architectural history greeted dozens of people as they passed by the town’s booth. Others learned that The Maine Press not only prints business cards, but dozens of other products. And Denise Hurd, a bagpiper from Andover, marched through the aisles, giving a live presentation of the music she has to offer.

These, and 150 other businesses, organizations, towns and civic groups from the River Valley area displayed their wares, services and other information Friday afternoon at the second annual River Valley Business Expo.

Friday night’s event, located in a red, white and blue decorated Mountain Valley High School, was opened to business and organization members. On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the exhibits inside and outside the high school will be open to the general public.

“We’re telling people that this is a great place to live and work, and to take advantage of the benefits of chamber membership,” said Jennifer Kreckel, a Rumford lawyer who was staffing the River Valley Chamber of the Commerce booth.

Letting people know what is available in the 10-town area is the major reason for the business expo. The chamber and the River Valley Growth Council are the co-sponsors of the event.

The Rumford Hospital displayed architectural drawings of its planned major renovation. The town of Mexico’s Citizens Advisory Board listed the many activities it is spearheading. Jack’s Place, a Rumford restaurant and bar, passed out mini-Reuben sandwiches, and many businesses offered Expo goers a chance to sign up for dozens of door prizes.

Friday was the time for business people to meet, or network.

Diane O’Leary, an Eagle auxiliary member who was staffing the civic group’s booth, learned that the local bowling alley has a restaurant and one of the banking places could help her out with a mortgage matter.

New businesses since last year’s event had a chance to get the word out. Older businesses, such as Stanley’s and Log Cabin Crafts, displayed some of their new merchandise. Stanley’s, a downtown Rumford furniture business, was the major financial sponsor for this year’s event, said Yvonne Allen, co-chairwoman of the Expo committee.

Allen and Rosie Bradley, along with a committee of eight or nine have been working on this year’s event almost since the close of last year’s.

More than 2,000 people attended last year, and about 3,000 are expected on Saturday. More business and organization people attended Friday’s business to business portion of the Expo, thanks to learning from last year’s experience.

“We’ve had a steady flow,” Bradley said.

This was likely thanks to the 600 invitations sent to businesses in the River Valley area, she said.