09 shopThe second annual Ladies Shop ’til You Drop Expo is set for Feb. 24-25 at the Crown Expo Center. It’s planned to be a day of shopping and entertainment with vendors, onstage entertainment, door prizes, food and more.

Business owners and event organizers Donna Meixsell and Marie Rudolph are both active in the community and are interested in seeing women succeed in business and life.

“That is why we got involved in this,” said Rudolph. “We want to give back to women. They need to be recognized for their strength. A lot of our vendors at Ladies Shop ’til You Drop Expo are women-owned businesses, including direct marketing businesses – they don’t often get to show their wares.”

“Marie and I are very active in the community, and we are at a point where we want to give back,” said Meixsell. “Fayetteville doesn’t really have a lot of these types of events. We thought it would be a good idea. It is a fun day and a way for women to get out and have a good time with their friends.”

With 80 or so vendors scheduled to participate, Meixsell and Rudolph promise a variety of shopping and entertainment options, including wine-tasting, home interior design, yoga, cutlery, handmade artisanal products, a tattoo booth and a photo booth. Some of the informational and resource booths include Pathway to Veterans, Carolina Heart and Leg, Miss North Carolina and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

The entertainment stage will feature a variety of local talent throughout the weekend as well as fashion shows and a visit from local pageant queens. The entertainment schedule is available at www.ladiesshoptilyoudrop.com.

“A doctor from the Carolina Heart and Leg Center will speak about women’s heart health,” said Rudolph. “February is Heart Health Month, and heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths for women. It’s important for women to educate and take care of themselves.”

Event sponsors Baker Motorsports and Cadillac of Fayetteville will be on-site as well.

Proceeds from the event benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. “We want to give back to the community,” Meixsell said. “Last year, we supported literacy, but we see so many kids with cancer these days. We just want to be able to give back. We would like to give a generous donation.”

One dollar from each ticket sold will be donated to St. Jude’s.

St. Jude’s mission is to “advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. … No child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.”

The first 100 entrants will receive swag bags filled with things like jewelry, gift cards and more.

VIP tickets are available and include VIP seating at the entertainment stage and VIP swag bags.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 24 and noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 25. The first 100 guests will receive a swag bag filled with items donated by vendors. Tickets cost $8 and are available at Capefeartix.com, ladiesshoptilyoudrop.com or at the door during the event. Call 910-483-0970 to learn more.