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Blackbeard, the mascot of this year's pirate-themed Thurmont Business Expo, has been encouraging residents to attend the Friday event from his spot on the window of the old Thurmont library building on Water Street for a few weeks now.

Planning the expo is a joint effort between the Thurmont Economic Development Committee (EDC) and Main Street Thurmont, two organizations that work toward bettering the town economically.

John Nickerson, the owner of Thurmont-based Gnarly Artly design shop, is a member of the EDC and the artist behind the store-front swashbuckler. The painting took him about six hours. He also completed the artwork around town for last year's Las Vegas-themed expo.

Nickerson said he participates in the committee and volunteers his artistic talents to the event because he wants to help "[make] the local people as well as the rest of Frederick County aware of what businesses are in Thurmont."

The event, which is in its seventh year, has helped local businesses get their names out to the community and the region since its inception, he said.

"You'll hear 10 people say ‘I never even knew you were here,'" he said, of event attendees. Owners and employees of the businesses set up and man information booths at the expo. Many have special displays and hand out coupons or discounts for their services to visitors.

But aside from drawing in potential customers, the expo also makes the town's business community "more cohesive," he said. "It builds up community spirit...Anything that gets people together is a good thing."

Co-founder of the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo, Mary Anne Hahn, agrees. The zoo is this year's largest sponsor of the expo, according to Main Street manager Cindy McKane-Wagester. Other sponsors include Woodsboro Bank, Frederick Grab Bar, Quality Editing and The Beauty Parlor.

"We feel it's important that they have some help to continue what they're doing for the town," Hahn said. "It's really important to keep people in town."

"They shouldn't have to drive to Frederick to do something nice for their children. They can do it right here," she said, using the zoo as an example of a business that northern Frederick County residents can enjoy without a long drive.

Hahn said the expo has been "very beneficial" to the preserve. She noted that the zoo's booth has the potential to be extra exciting this year.

"Since we are in the animal business, we usually have a guest," she said. "I think we're going to do a take off of Peter Pan and the pirate with the crocodile."

The seventh-annual Thurmont Business Expo is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Catoctin High School, 14745 Sabillasville Road, Thurmont. Admission is free.

Economic Development Committee chairman John Kinnaird said between 1,200 and 1,500 people usually attend the event. He noted that 85 of the event's 110 available spaces are taken and that vendors can sign up as late as the morning of the event.

For more details, visit www.thurmontfirst.com, e-mail dianasbeautyparlor@yahoo.com, cindy@thurmontstaff.com, or john@kinnairdmemorials.com, or call 301-271-2273 or 301-606-9458.

cpomeroy@gazette.net