More than 120 businesses will be at the April 21 Biz Expo, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the River Center. That's up from 85 in 2008.

The event gives the public an opportunity to learn about local businesses all in one location.

Shelley Garrett, executive director of the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce is hoping the 2009 event will exceed last year's crowd of 750.

Before the Expo opens, two small airplanes - a Cessna and Hornet - will be driven from the Lebanon Airport to the River Center parking lot at 4 a.m. Officers with the Lebanon Police will escort the planes.

"They are literally going to drive them up the street to the event," Garrett said.

Also outside will be the Linn County Sheriff's Office Mobile Command Center, two speedsters from the Willamette Speedway, new cars from Roberson Ford and Primasing Motors, excavating equipment, the National Guard, and other vendors.

A new booth configuration will be used so more businesses can participate in the event.

"Almost every business in town will be inside there," Garrett said.

Most businesses have small items that will be given away free at their booths, like pens, paper, or key chains.

"People who come will be given a Bingo card and for each booth they see, they can get a mark on the card and we'll draw for winners every half hour," Garrett said. Each winner will receive a prize, valued at $20, from a business.

A stage will be set up at the Expo and every half hour a different business or entertainment act will take the stage. A fashion show put on by Simply Elegant Bridal Boutique, with hairstyles provided by the Mane Event, will take place during the event.

Mama Linda's and Bo Mack's BBQ will be providing food samples.

Linn Lanes will have a Wii gaming system so people can try their hand at bowling.

Health screening booths by Samaritan Health Services will be available at the Expo.

Relay for Life will have a booth, with information about the upcoming June event.

"There are just a lot of different kinds of things to do," Garrett said.

KXPC and KSHO will be broadcasting at the event live.

Garrett said the chamber tried to keep the cost low by charging $50 for a booth. "This could be a make or break for businesses to increase their customer base," she said.

The Albany Chamber hosts a similar event, Garrett said, but their event is more focused on business-to-business relations, not business-to-customer.

The event is sponsored by Centurytel.