Expo draws a crowd as snow stays away

Southeast Minnesotans expected an apocalyptic early-spring blizzard this past Saturday.
Estimates ranged from three to six to nine inches of snow, maybe more.
So folks involved with the 20th-annual Dodge County Expo were pleased that it only snowed … not at all.
“The weather turned out in our favor, which is a real blessing,” event co-chairman Larry Dobson said. “We just sent out an email yesterday to our committee, asking them to pray. I think that’s what did it.”
“We’re happy that it fizzled out,” said Lynette Huppler, who represented the Mantorville Opera House at a booth with her husband, Karl.
So were the hundreds of visitors and vendors who attended the business show extravaganza at Triton High School, sponsored by the Dodge Center Chamber of Commerce.
There was free entertainment and a wide variety of exhibitors from around Dodge County, including commercial businesses, service organizations, non-profit groups, private vendors, crafters and such.
Highlights included a “virtual reality” headset, balloon creations by Rookie the Clown, performances by costumed Aztec dancers, a scavenger hunt, henna tattoos for kids, and tasty food samples.
“It’s always fun to see how many people do turn out for this,” Dobson said. “One of the things that attracts them is just getting to see each other again after the winter. I think they do it as much for that as they all the exhibits that are here. It’s rewarding. And this is one of the most successful shows like this in southern Minnesota. A lot of them are dying off, having a real hard time, and we just keep growing.”
“It’s been a good project for Dodge County,” said event co-chair Jerry Fahning, one of the Expo’s original organizers. “It’s been a good exposure of activities and businesses. We’ve got an exceptionally good committee.”
Scott Wenz of Rochester, visiting with his friend Michelle Jorgenson, said he’d never heard of the Expo until Saturday.
“But for all the small towns that are around here, Dodge Center, Kasson, Mantorville, they need things like this. Especially in the springtime, when there isn’t much to do,” he said. “I think it really helps small businesses. It gets people together and connecting with each other. I think it’s really successful.”