by Liz Daube
Staff Writer
Preparations for today’s Southern Women’s Show began early Wednesday at the Osborn Center. More than 300 exhibitors will showcase products, services and free samples at the show, which runs through Sunday.
This is the 19th year of the event according to the show’s director, Mardee Woodward. She said similar women’s shows are held throughout the South, but each one features both locally- and nationally-recognized businesses and speakers. From an entrepreneurial talk with Meredith Baxter of the 1980s sitcom “Family Ties” to cooking and fashion shows to screenings by Baptist Health, this weekend’s show will cover a broad range of consumer topics.
Woodward said last year’s four-day event drew a total of nearly 29,000 people. This year’s doesn’t have a particularly different theme, but Woodward said fun is always the big focus.
“There’s no pressure to buy,” she said. “They’re also going to see some really cool things.
“Women like to touch and see, they like to get up close and personal,” Woodward continued. “This is one-stop shopping for them.”
The majority of the crowd will be women ages 24-54, she said, but men are welcome. Over the years, more men have taken a sincere interest in some parts of the event, such as the cooking lessons, Woodward said. Some vendors will provide free food sampling as well.
Admission to the show is $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-12 and free for those younger than 6 years. The show runs 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.