CLINTON - It's almost time for the most anticipated business gathering of the year-the 22nd annual Clinton Business Expo will be held at the Andrews Memorial Town Hall on Saturday, March 23.

Shoreline residents can pop in to this free event any time between 9:30 a.m. through

3 p.m. About 50 businesses and industries will attend as will local non-profits spread out in the Green Room and the Auditorium.

Sponsored by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, the Expo is a community show that gives businesses and organizations the opportunity to introduce themselves to the public, according to Chamber Executive Director Ellen Cavanagh. Many of the vendors return year after year, making for a very social event.

"There will be about 15 non-profit groups and a whole host of other businesses and industries, some new to this year and some who continue to join us," Cavanagh said

Last year, the Chamber came up with the "passport" addition, through which residents were encouraged to visit the Chamber's booth before checking out other businesses to receive a passport listing all the vendors and locations. Participants with completed passports (stamped by all booths) were entered for prizes.

"The idea behind that is to encourage people to visit every booth," Cavanagh said. "Were continuing the passport addition because it worked every well last year and we want to continue to include it."

Residents can expect to see the usual familiar faces in attendance, including the Easter Bunny. Representatives from Meigs Point Nature Center in Madison, sponsored by the Shoreline Animal Hospital, will bring their critter friends, making the event fun for the whole family. The Rotary Club will also have its own booth, allowing residents to sign up for free Amber Alert child identification.

A new addition to this year includes a magician sponsored by Pumpkin Patch Child Care that Cavanagh is particularly excited about.

"This year and sort of a special interest to young children is our master magician Bob Hale," the executive director said.

An affordable, full food court will also be offered in the Rose Room.

To learn more about the 22nd annual Expo, call the Clinton Chamber of Commerce at 860-669-3889 or visit www.clintonct.com.