HERMITAGE — Women’s Expo 2009 was so crowded by Monday afternoon that visitors had to park in the grass next to Hickory VFW in Hermitage.

“We’ve had a record turnout again,” said Kelly Cummings, supervisor of Views & Voices, the women’s magazine that hosted the event.

It was the fourth Expo for the magazine, which is published monthly by The Herald in Sharon. The magazine’s editor, Sherris Moreira-Byers, said she was pleased with the crowd that numbered at least 1,500 men, women and children by about 3:30 p.m.

About 80 vendors from Mercer County and surrounding areas packed the banquet hall. Those who set up shop to display products and services said they were just as happy to be there as the visitors, who sampled food and lotions and learned more about area businesses and organizations.

Business owner Tracie Black was one of several on a waiting list because so many people wanted spots at the Expo. Ms. Black got a space at the main entrance after a cancellation. This year was her first time at the Expo with Tracie Black Designs.

Ms. Black, Greenville, makes and sells jewelry, accessories and home decor and hosts in-home parties.

Originally from Conneaut Lake, she’s also lived in California and New York and has set up at other expos, but Monday’s event was one of the better ones because of the atmosphere and the exposure she received.

“I really appreciate this,” Ms. Black said of participating.

Oak Tree Country Club, Shenango Township, set up at the Expo for the first time, hoping to get more women interested in golf, said Bob Collins, general manager and director of golf.

“We need to be here. It’s perfect for us,” he said.

A lot of women want to start golfing or improve their game, and many don’t know Oak Tree, a semi-private club, accommodates anyone, not just members, Collins said.

He was offering discounted golf memberships and had a few takers. He said he was impressed with the crowd and the chance to network with fellow business owners.

Another first-timer was Stacking the Odds, a fundraising group promoting breast cancer awareness through an Oreo-stacking contest, said Jennifer DeFazio, founder and chairman.

People stopped by her table, intrigued by the stacks of the cookies with pink icing in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She was registering people for a stacking competition set for Nov. 7 at Hickory High School, Hermitage.

The competition is in its third year and participants are asked to raise money from sponsors to be donated to breast cancer research and awareness, Ms. DeFazio said.

The Expo was the perfect place to sign up participants and about 50 are on the list so far. View & Voices is sponsoring the competition, she said.

“Everyone’s been really receptive to the idea,” she said.

Pat Speck of Hermitage visited the Expo for the first time and couldn’t believe the number of visitors and vendors.

“I think it’s really exciting,” she said, adding she’ll return next year.

She learned about new products and services she didn’t know were offered in the area, like a group of traveling doctors called the Visiting Physicians Association.

Others excited about the Expo were employees of Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County and members of the Quota Club of Hermitage, who helped check in visitors.

Anyone who donated a canned good received a dollar off admission and the warehouse’s truck was filling up quickly, said Executive Director Lori Weston.

“We’ve seen people bringing in full bags,” she said.

Donating food at the Expo is an easy way for people to give and it helps that Ms. Moreira-Byers is amazing and has a “heart of gold,” Ms. Weston said.

“We enjoy working with them,” Ms. Weston said of the magazine staff.

Barb Hassel, Quota Club secretary, said her group will receive a monetary donation from the Expo, which is always a generous contribution. The money will help fund local scholarships and women’s and children’s services, she said.

“That’s just thrilling us to death,” she said.

Most of the vendors, including Views & Voices, gave away prizes and Anderson Coach & Travel, Sugar Grove Township, gave a motor coach trip to Washington, D.C.