Canadians Coming To Boys, Girls Club Expo March 26-28

It is no mistake that annual Ogdensburg Boys' and Girls' Club International Expo has that sixth word included in its title.

All one has to do to find out why this is an international event is check out the vehicles that will be parked outside the Edgar A. Newell II Golden Dome at Ogdensburg Free Academy during the Expo's 34th annual edition on March 26-28.

Most of the plates will be from New York, as evident by its distinctive logo, "The Empire State."

But there are bound to be plenty of other, equally eye-catching plates with the logos "Yours To Discover" and "I Remember." They are from Canada in, respectively, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

It is no surprise that Expo, so popular with residents in Ogdensburg and the rest of Northern New York, could be a draw for Canadians who are just an international bridge crossing away from the Dome.

Just ask Boys' and Girls' Club Executive Director Thomas P. Luckie Jr., himself half-Canadian.

"We usually get a lot of Canadian traffic," he said.

"We certainly invite our Canadian neighbors to come and enjoy the show," he said.

This year's Expo is already showing strong signs that there will be plenty at this show to enjoy. Mr. Luckie said an estimated 120 vendors and crafters are already signed up. That's enough, he noted, to just about cover all the available space on both the Dome floor and the upper levels on either side of it.

"Actually, we are doing very well," Mr. Luckie said. "We're pretty full right now."

One encouraging development related to the vendors and the crafters was their recruitment to show up. In the past, according to Mr. Luckie, organizers sent them letters to confirm their participation. This year, no letters were necessary.

After more than 30 years, Mr. Luckie believes he understands why Expo has endured to the point where it is an inevitable, iconic event.

"It's part of the fabric of Ogdensburg," he said.

Then there is, lightheartedly, the meteorological aspect of Expo.

"It's a sign that spring is coming," Mr. Luckie said.

Expo, which is a trade show to help promote the local and regional businesses that set up exhibits there, is actually a fundraiser for the 46-year-old Boys' and Girls' Club. According to Mr. Luckie, the three-day event is being counted to raise $70,000 for the organization's $265,000 annual budget.

Not exactly small change.

"We need to have a good Expo," Mr. Luckie said.