Despite some initial bad reviews from friends about the Baby Toddler Expo, I decided it was worth it to check out for myself (and for you) if this event was worth the $6 cover charge. My verdict? Yes and no. For babies, there wasn't a whole lot to do other than stroll them around the expo center and look at the vendors who weren't necessarily baby related. Sure Chicco was there with their high price (yet awesome) strollers, but most of the vendors were for vacation resorts, home improvments like window treatments/ insulation, and banks. Worse yet, I ended up signing away my personal information for the chance to win several gift cards. I expect a barrage of annoying solicitation calls to start any minute.
The plus side of the vendors is that I got free chocolate milk from Leigh Valley Farms (that really made my day), a free childproofing kit, 2 free baby bottles, and a lot of samples (yummy Cabot cheese). I also found a particularly cool multicultural children's book stand and a some really nice bags at ThirtyOneGifts. The most valuable resource I discovered at the Expo was MommySitters.com, a free planning calendar for moms to link up with one another to make playdates, babysit, etc. I just set up a calendar myself!
As for the fun and games, we saw the diaper derby, and were asked to participate; but my baby is far from crawling. That was about it for the wee little ones. Now for toddlers, this expo would have been awesome. There was a petting zoo with the cutest darn piglet and the largest bunny rabbit I ever saw. Elmo was running around saying hi to kids. There were also inflatable bounce houses, sliding boards, jungle gyms, see saws, and magic shows for kids. It looked like a lot of fun for the older kiddies.
Overall, I think it was worth the entrance fee. I had fun, and let's face it sometimes you get a little stir crazy and want to do something, anything with the baby.
The diaper derby sounds like a blast, I'll have to try to find one in Vermont! Your baby will be old enough before you know it. Thanks for the good word on Cabot Cheese. I live in Cabot and they're a great company, a true cooperative that helps keep our land open and green, and where 100% of the profits go back to farmer-owners.
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