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.