Get ready to catch some chickens at the 2019 Business Expo & Kids Day on July 27

Guests to the 2019 Madison Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and Kids Day will be able to help celebrate Madison’s 150th anniversary. The expo will be held July 27 at the Hogan Family YMCA. RECORD PHOTO/JOHN FEW

MADISON – Over the years, the Business Expo and Kids Day by the Madison Chamber of Commerce has turned into one of the more well-attended Madison events of the year. The free, family-friendly event will take place Saturday, July 27 at the Hogan Family YMCA, 130 Park Square Lane in Madison, from 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.

This year promises to be even bigger. The expo will celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary in a very unusual way that people will not want to miss.

“Our theme this year is Madison Depot 1869 in honor of our city’s sesquicentennial,” said Madison Chamber of Commerce executive director Pam Honeycutt. “So, we’re holding a mini reenactment of one of Madison’s most interesting historical activities.”

In the early 1930s, Humphreys-Hughes Drug Store would annually release chickens from the top of the building to the crowd below. People came from miles around to try and catch the birds and the merchandise coupons attached to their legs.

“In that spirit, at noon during the event, we will toss three dozen rubber chickens from high in the Madison Fire Department’s bucket with various gift cards attached to their legs – up to a $25 value,” Honeycutt said. “It will be a lot of fun.”

The Business Expo & Kids Day stands as the Madison chamber’s signature event. “We will have over 60 booths representing the varied businesses in our area,” Honeycutt said. “People can visit each booth and learn more about the amazing goods and services our area offers.”

Food trucks will be on hand throughout the event. Piper and Leaf, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, Rick’s Barbecue and Domino’s Pizza will be available.

Kids will enjoy free activities include face painting, balloon animals, bounce house, games, prizes and more.

“We’ll have trackless train rides for the little ones around the outside attractions,” Honeycutt said. “There will also be tours of the HEMSI ambulance and Madison fire truck, as well as the Madison Fire and Rescue Virtual Reality Trailer for kids to tour. SARTEC will bring their highly-trained rescue dogs to visit with attendees. LifeSouth’s Bloodmobile will be on-hand as well as the Madison Hospital Mobile Unit with free health screenings.”

Honeycutt also said they will have some ‘dunkable’ dignitaries in the dunk tank this year. Proceeds from the dunk tank will go to the Hogan YMCA’s 2019 Changing Lives Annual Giving Campaign.

Kids can take their best shot at dunking one of the following personalities:

10 a.m. – Madison City Fireman Stephen Long

11 a.m. – 106.1 WTAK Host, Johnny Maze

12 p.m. – 102.1 WDRM Host, Mason Black

1 p.m.   – WZDX News Anchor Mary Stackhouse

Business Expo & Kids Day draws thousands of area attendees each year. To participate as a vendor, please contact The Madison Chamber’s office at 256-325-8317 for details. More information is available at www.madisonalchamber.com.