Expo helps runners get set for Stockade-athon

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Lamendola

Nearly 50 vendors are scheduled to appear from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Saturday’s Gazette Stockade-athon Expo at the GE Theatre at Proctors.

There will also be a guest appearance from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. by La*Dee*Dah Clown, who will offer face painting and balloon sculptures, and at 2:30 p.m. Ed Whitlock, 80, widely recognized as the best runner in the world on an age-grade basis, as well as a spinning demonstration and health clinics.

The expo is traditionally hosted the day before the annual Gazette Stockade-athon, a 5K race that kicks off Sunday morning in Central Park. Runners can pick up their race packets at the expo or register for the race.

Unlike the race, the expo offers a less competitive atmosphere, where visitors can eat and drink locally produced foods, such as cider by Buhrmaster Farms and tarts and muffins from Julie’s Table; they can get their blood pressure checked by Ellis Medicine or by Schenectady firefighters; they can purchase vintage jewelry from Tina Giogio Antiques and holiday wreathes from Gremar Creations.

The expo will also give people the opportunity to acquire school information on St. John the Evangelist and about Alzheimer’s and dementia from Clare Bridge of Niskayuna.

“It is just a fun event to bring to downtown,” said CJ Dufort, events coordinator for The Gazette Newspapers. “We have healthy living booths, various arts and crafts booths and various booths offering gift items. We hope people can buy local and help the local economy.”

Some proceeds from the expo help support the Gazette’s Newspaper In Education Program. Through NIE, the Gazette provides local schools with free newspapers that can be used in the classroom for education lessons.

Other presenters include: Pamela Ackerknecht; Adirondack Association of US Track & Field; Alpacas at Clear View Farm; Barton Hill Jacobs; Body by Vi-90 Day Challenge: MaryJane Bremner-Small; Center for Donation & Transplant; Carole’s Ceramics; Concerned for the Hungry; Creative Sparks; Eshcol Enterprises; Fashionista Felicia; Fleet Feet; Fleming Physical Therapy Consultants; Tina Giorgio Antiques; Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club; Jewelry by Donna Marie; Julia’s Table; Kevin Newman; KC Creations; Lipstick n Lollipops; LaBella Gifts; Mary Ann Delany; Memories by Jess; New York State Energy Research & Development Authority’s “Out of My Gourd” Creations; Harry G. Pellegrin; Peanut Principle; Polar Fleece & More; Nancy Robinson; Ruth Raym; Schenectady Fire Department; St. John the Evangelist School; Schenectady County Environmental Advisory Council; ECOS; SandS Images; Scentsy; Sharpe’s Sweets; Spiritual Counseling and Education; Spyratos Chiropractic; Tupperware; Wildtree Products; and Worldlings Pleasure.