The vendor fair was today, April 29th. A good time was had by all. Every vendor came except for one and they all brought lots of goodies. Dr. Peter Green signed many of the books we were selling, written by him, "Celiac Disease, The Hidden Epidemic".

Two of you came up to me and said, "I found the lady with the long hair!" Tinkerbellswt, aka Stephanie and Mouth, aka Lynn both found me and introduced themselves. It was very nice meeting both of you, thank you for looking for me.

At least 1500 people attended the fair, not including many children that were not counted, by accident! From all the comments I heard, I think everyone was happy they attended.

Thank you for a great fair!

Do u know when the next fair will be in NY tri-state area????
I missed this one

about two years unless we can convince the volunteers to do it next year.
It was a lot of work for them.
There is a walk coming up in Queens I wonder how many vendors will be there sounds interesting the walk.

i live in tx, but my parents are from LI and went to this today and said it was great. they met the celiac chicks who have that great site about NYC and have tons of good reccomendations for good gluten-free foods bc there were tons of samples, i'm so jealous!

Joel--Did I meet you? I met so many people, my head is spinning. So many out here who have so many questions.

I really like Anne Lee, yet I was very disappointed when she told at least one lady that it doesn't matter if her make-up contains gluten as long as she doesn't suffer from DH. That just so isn't true for so many of us.

Dr. Green shook hands with many--everyone loves to hear him speak.

It was great, the entire day, even if it was very exhausting.

Hi Deb! It was great to finally meet someone from here.. our celiac group went up there, 14 in all, and we all had a great time! sooo much food.. we went to dinner after the fair, but we still arent quite sure why??? LOL the food there was soo good, why go to dinner? ahhh, used it as an excuse to extend a field trip longer!
Dr. Greene was wonderful.. what a nice "normal" guy! It was truly an experience, first to just join my group, to feel so not alone, but after yesterday, WOW, am I ever not alone.
I really didnt realize how alone I had felt in my celiacs.. I really thought I was ok, now after yesterday, I almost wanted to cry.. I am so NOT alone.. even after being told it, and joining a group, but this fair really opened my eyes!
Thanks to you and all your members for a wonderful great time deb!!!
I am now going to the conference in VA too.. after yesterday I can only imagine how I will feel!!!

I was actually just coming on to send you (Deb) a thank you along with all the other volunteers of the Suffolk County Celiac group for putting on such an incredible event!!

I was completely stuffed by the time I left. LOL!!!

I wanted to come find you, but I was really hot and I couldn't believe how many people were already there when I got there at 11:00, that I just went on a mission of tasting, buying and getting out of there. Definately got lots of yummy treats and took note of products I want to buy in the future.

Also managed to go to the Peter Andrew's tent sale down the road after I left, and unexpectedly bought some furniture! Overall it was a fun, expensive day

I do belong to a great support group and we are all so happy that so many people had a great time. It was great to meet those of you I did meet--was a good day. Thank you.

Hi Deb:
After organizing and coordinating our local celiac disease Awareness Walk and Gluten Free Food Fair for the past 2 years, I'm considering doing a big gluten free EAT event in Seattle next year. We have lots of restaurants with gluten-free menus or entrees. Seattle already has an annual 'Bite of Seattle'. Other local towns have a 'Taste of Edmonds or Taste of Tacoma. I'm considering a 'Gluten Free Gobble' (how's that for alliteration? LOL) for next year. Can you semd me by pm the names and contact information to the organizers for your Suffolk County Celiac Vendor Fair? I don't want to do a vendor fair per se, but want to talk to them about organizing a food only (no walk) event. Thanks.
BURDEE

Deb: This sounds like a wonderful event! You and the other volunteers must be so proud of its success.