For months, two horse-loving friends have been planning, working and organizing, and hundreds of like-minded animal lovers will enjoy the fruit of their labors this Saturday.
The Essex County Trail Association is hosting this year's Equine Expo 2010 and Paraphernalia Sale in the large indoor arena at the Topsfield Fairgrounds, Route 1, Topsfield. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kay Joseph of Essex and Sue McLaughlin of Hamilton proposed the idea of a tack sale as a way for ECTA members to sell their used tack and buy what they needed while raising money for the nonprofit trail group.
They organized the first sale at the Hamilton-Wenham Community House. Over the years, the two women and a cadre of volunteers have grown the expo in the number of vendors and the quality of merchandise. Now there are about 80 spaces available to sell anything related to the horse and rider or driver.
"Vendors are still committing," said McLaughlin. "We still have a couple of places left."
This year's sale, the 15th edition, will offer a wide variety of new and used items offered as well as equine services. There will be several tables offering lots of free information — land organizations, magazines, trail maps, etc.
Demonstrations will be held all day at one end of the arena — Scott Laffey with English and Western training, NE Equine Rescue, Gypsy and Canadian horses. There will also be pony rides available.
"A woman is also coming in to do soundings," McLaughlin said. "Sounding is something she does with her voice to calm horses down. She also sings to them, so she is going to do that."
For the sixth year, a silent auction will go during the day. Items on which to bid include gift certificates, riding lessons, artwork, gift baskets and much more.
The charge for a vendor space of 100 square feet is $85 for the first space and $75 for any additional spaces, so individuals and groups as well as businesses can participate. There is plenty of free parking, a food vendor and the building is handicap accessible.
Admission is $4 per person; children younger than 10 are free.
For more information about the Expo or rental spaces, or to volunteer at the event, contact Joseph at kljoreo@aol.com or 978-768-6275, or McLaughlin at 978-468-7715.
The nonprofit Essex County Trail Association maintains trails on public and private property for all types of passive recreation in Essex, Topsfield, Ipswich, Hamilton, Wenham and West Newbury. The Expo is run by volunteers and money raised by this event helps ECTA do more trail work.
For more information on ECTA, please visit its Web site, www.ectaonline.org.
If you go
What: Equine Expo 2010 and Paraphernalia Sale
When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Why: To benefit the Essex County Trails Association.
Who: Vendors and demos by Scott Laffey with English and Western training, NE Equine Rescue, Gypsy and Canadian horses.
How much: $4 admission.
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