Sanford Center to host Northern Minnesota Women’s Expo Saturday, May 9

A $5 ticket gets Bemidji shoppers into a one-stop mix of local vendors, new activities and a pop-up thrift shop when Northern Minnesota’s Women’s Expo returns to the Sanford Center. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at 1111 Event Center Drive NE.

The Sanford Center says the expo is designed as a day to shop local vendors, try new activities and enjoy some relaxation. Visit Bemidji says the event is taking place during Women’s Health Month, giving it a health-and-services angle that goes beyond a typical craft fair or shopping stop.

The draw for Beltrami County residents is practical as much as social. Events like this bring small businesses, services and community contacts under one roof, which can make it easier to compare products, meet vendors face to face and find out what is available locally without driving all over town. The expo also comes with a built-in bargain: admission is just $5.

There is also a charitable component. In a Feb. 24 press release, the Sanford Center said 50% of entrance proceeds will go to Village of Hope. That makes the expo one of the few local weekend events where the entry fee directly supports a named community organization.

The Women’s Expo has had an uneven run in recent years. Lakeland PBS reported in 2025 that the event had been shut down for a few years during the pandemic and that the 2025 expo was only the second time it had been held since 2019. That return matters for local vendors and shoppers alike, especially in a city where the Sanford Center often serves as a regional gathering place rather than just an entertainment venue.

The center says it hosts hockey games, concerts, weddings, conferences, meetings, expos, rodeos and more, and the Women’s Expo fits that broader role. For Bemidji and nearby communities, Saturday’s event offers a low-cost way to browse women-owned businesses, pick up unique finds, and spend a few hours in one place with shopping, information and a charity connection all folded together.