By MATT LINDSEY

MASSENA -- The first-ever “Tastes and Talents of the North Country” show hosted by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is expected to draw nearly 100 vendors.

“The Cheel Arena (craft) show is the most popular around and we have to work around the Clarkson hockey schedule which caused the (St. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce’s Craft, Food and Wine Show) to be held earlier than before,” according to Jo Ann Roberts, events and promotions manage at the chamber.

Vendors and shoppers now have second show closer to Christmas to buy and sell locally made products.

It will be held at the St. Lawrence Centre Arena in the mall at 6183 State Highway 37 from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12.

Admission is $3 for adults.

Roberts says parking won’t be an issue like it can be at the October show. The mall has a large parking area that should be big enough to handle increased traffic.

“It will be exciting to offer a second show,” Roberts said.

The chamber is calling the show a sister show to the St. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce’s Craft, Food and Wine Show. Roberts said that if the event is successful they will try to run it again next year.

Roberts said the chamber’s craft show in October drew around 4,500 people with several vendors reporting record sales. But, people did not appear to be Christmas shopping.

“People were shopping more for themselves than for guests,” she said.

There will be over 90 vendors including new ones that were not at the October show. Nine wineries, 24 food vendors and lots of crafters and artisans are expected to attend.

“People are excited for a second show in a second location…we hope to attract our core group of shoppers and new ones from Franklin County, Akwesasne and Canada,” Roberts said.