Win Tickets to the Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo (July 31 & August 1)

From the Press Release: 

Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1, 2010, the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Chicago will be the home to the Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo. More than 125 exhibitors will showcase the hottest new products and services for new and expectant parents, grandparents, and tots. Families will romp, race, and rock out with a weekend full of fun contests and prizes, live performances by rocker moms, live blogging in the Moms Connect area, and themed parties for the pampered potty-training tyke.

The Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo is produced by Bebe Paluzza, the nation’s largest producer of baby fairs and events.

The Right Gear
Visitors will find hundreds of exhibitors ranging from trusted national companies to Chicagoland’s best boutiques, offering furniture and bedding, toys, clothing, handmade baby carriers, diaper and daycare services, and nursing supplies. To capture the memorable first years of a child’s life, exhibitors will feature customized journals, photo albums, birth announcements and invitations. Parents looking to “go green” will find organic foods and eco-friendly baby products, including natural bedding, cloth diaper providers, and gently used clothing. Nutritionists will offer informal advice and answer visitor questions, and will share products for keeping baby healthy.

Moms won’t be left out either. Makeup consultants will offer style tips, while pregnancy planners answer questions about prenatal care, and health experts provide practical advice for taking care during and after pregnancy. Susan the Shower Diva will share her best ideas and trends for fun games, themes, etiquette and gifts to throw the best baby shower for a mom-to-be.

Family-Friendly Fun and Games
Moms will wave the checkered flag during family-friendly competitions for the chance to win big prizes. The first 50 moms to arrive at the show on Saturday and Sunday will receive the coveted Bebe Swag Bag overflowing with more than $500 in products and goodies. Infants will crawl, scoot, and wobble their way to victory in the Diaper Derby, and Chicago will crown its next pint-sized pop sensation in the Juno Rising Stars Search, a nationwide hunt for a talented youngster to appear in Juno’s line of Emmy Award winning music videos. For rules and to apply, visit www.junobaby.com.

At the Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo, the Daddyathon obstacle course will put dads’ diapering skills to the test as they race the clock to push strollers through a circuit of baby-related games and challenges. First one across the finish wins a Britax stroller and “man bag” from O Yikes! active gear.

After the races, parents will find reprieve in the Mommy Pampering Lounge and Daddy Tailgate Lounge. While licensed sitters watch the kids, moms will relax with luxurious manicures and spa treatments, while dads chill in the ultimate “man cave” outfitted with big screen TVs, cushy recliners, and videogames.

Activities Just for Kids
Little princesses can escape to a magical castle for treats, games, and crafts at the Princess Tea Party, while boys dress up as pirates to ward off evil villains and play swashbuckling games at the Boys Pirate Party. Rambunctious revelers are encouraged to dress in costume. The Princess Tea Party and Boys Pirate Party will be held Saturday, July 31 at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m, respectively. Reservations are required by e-mailing missy@indybabyexpo.com. Space is limited.

Energetic tots will run, jump, and romp in the special Coach Pickel’s and Jelly Bean Sports and the Oaklee’s Guide activity areas. Special guest Boca Beth will engage kids in fun games that teach Spanish basics, and share how parents can help to raise bilingual children. Kids can also put on their “listening ears” to bop around to the high-energy, positive tunes of Mr. Singer & The Sharp Cookies and the kid-friendly acoustic rock of Laura Doherty.

Live Music from Rocker Moms
On the Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo’s main stage, three mom musicians will show how hard they rock during head-bobbing, hip-swaying performances. With AC/DC, Iron Maiden, and Metallica in her repertoire, guitarist Linda Robertson will rock out to the classics, while roots rocker Anna Fermin will sing selections she has performed alongside such famed musicians as Johnny Cash and Paula Cole. Alt-country performer Cari Ray will rounds out the roster with original performances on her six string.

Web Savvy Moms Get Wired, Stay Connected
Moms can get wired and post live updates from the Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo in the Moms Connect area. Free wireless access for bloggers and Twitter users will let social media-savvy moms share their favorite exhibitors, upload images, provide tips from the show, and chat live with other Chicago area parents (and the world!) from their smart phones or laptops.

The Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo will be open on Saturday, July 31, from 10am-5pm and Sunday, August 1, from 11am-4pm at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. General admission to the Expo is $7 online and $10 at the door, $5 for grandparents and free for children under 5.

This year's Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo is made possible in part by national sponsors Boogie Wipes, Britax, Buy Buy Baby, Joovy, Juno Baby, Mamapalooza, Miracle Cord, and Sounds of Pertussis, and local sponsor, Chicago-area MomsLikeMe.com.

For more information about the Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo or to purchase discount admission tickets online visit www.bebepaluzza.com or call (317) 517-9920.

Doesn't that sound like such a blast? I wish we lived closer, so we could participate in this event! Don't forget that the first 50 moms that show up on both Saturday and Sunday will receive a swag bag jam-packed with over $500 worth of goodies and products!

I know my daughter would just LOVE to show up dressed as a princess and take advantage of the Princess Tea Party- and my son, if he was younger, would have enjoyed the Pirate Party, as well. How cute is that?! What a great way to allow the kids to have fun too! (Don't forget that in order to participate in either of those, you need to RSVP to missy@indybabyexpo.com.)

With so many great sponsors and demonstrators, this year's Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo is sure to have something for everyone.

Our new friends at Bebe Paluzza have offered 3 of our Chicago Area readers a pair of tickets to attend the Baby & Toddler Expo!


Here's How to WIN!
This one is fun! Leave a comment telling me one thing you love about being a mom. If you're pregnant with your first, tell me one thing you're looking forward to, as a mom.

Extra Entry Opportunity:
You may tweet up to 2x's Daily:

I want to go to the Chicago Baby+Toddler Expo 7/31 & 8/1! Enter to win tickets @4BabyAndMom Contest ends 7/23 http://bit.ly/9DYsmU

One entry per email address, please. We will pick the winners at random, and announce them on our WINNERS PAGE. Anyone can enter, but your own transportation must be provided. The giveaway is strictly for two general admission tickets, and valued at about $20. The information above was provided by the PR firm which represents Bebe Paluzza. I received no monetary compensation for sharing this information with you, my readers.