Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this week when Saladmaster Bermuda brings all the spirit of the festive season to Number One Shed on Front Street, with over sixty exhibitors packed into the two floors of the building.

And they're all ready and willing to show you what you can buy right here in Bermuda.

The selection of items on display include cars, boats, fishing gear, electronic equipment and spas.

And look for party rentals, wood work demonstrations, health products, glass blowing, floor and tile coverings, new ideas in vacuum cleaners, art exhibit, antique and period furnishings, books and bibles.

Interested in the electronic route? On display will be small appliances, cellular phones and paging devices, and video equipment.

Still looking? Try Saladmaster's vast range of products, rug care, the latest sewing machines, Pure Water, florists, and plenty of free draws for fabulous prizes.

Opening times are generous: Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission to the show is $10, with children under 12free.

Want a half price ticket? Then just donate a tin of food in the Christmas bin at any Market Place store and not only will you help the less fortunate at this Christmas season, but you will also get a voucher that allows you half price admission to the Christmas Expo.

The whole event will be opened by The Hon J. Irving Pearman, JP, MP, Deputy Premier and Minister of Labour and Home Affairs at noon on the Thursday. Also in attendance at the opening, and saying a few words, will be Ms Renee Webb, MP, Shadow Minister of Human Affairs and Information.

"This is a major new approach to marketing Christmas,'' says the Expo co-ordinator Mrs June Augustus. "It will be a showcase for the best of Bermuda's products. We want people to shop right here at home.M "Bermudians love to buy in Boston and New York, but we want to try to get the local dollar back in the local cash register. It keeps people employed and it helps to make our economy buoyant.'' With that laudable objective as the driving force behind the event, the Chamber of Commerce is interested as are many other businesses.

"It will be interesting to see the results,'' says Ms Carolyn Mello of the Chamber.

With local traders pondering the gloomy news that Bermudians will spend something close to $22 million overseas this year, the foresight of Mr. Junius Durrant, Saladmaster's "man in Bermuda'' for the past twenty years, means that someone has faced the problem of foreign spending by Bermudians, and has tackled it head on.

This is the first Christmas Expo that Mr. Durrant has organised and he has been overwhelmed by the response.

"I'm keeping a close eye on this first year and hope that I can make this event an annual one,'' he says.

"I want to emphasise the small retailer,'' insists Mr. Durrant. "I want him to have his chance to show how well he can do. And we've had a very positive response from the little guy.'' The whole theme is Bermuda Christmas and the display of Christmas trees should be a highlight. Over 20 trees will be on show with personal decorations by experts in their field.

Santa will be strolling around, ready to greet anyone that is sensible enough to believe in the bearded old man. And two other famous characters will be there to shake little hands: Barney, the monster hit of the nineties, and Donald Duck.

Don't eat before you come, because you'll find food galore in every kind of stall all over the Expo: pizza, salad bars, soups, fish chowder, beef pies, sandwiches, spare ribs, chicken, baked potatoes, popcorn, hot dogs and ice cream. And don't imagine that Chinese dishes are not part of the whole show.

Sensible Bermudians celebrate the Chinese New Year, so the Wok Restaurant will be returning the compliment at the Expo.

A buffet of some of its more famous Chinese dishes will be there for the tasting. Such delicacies as Sweet and Sour chicken, noodles, stir fried vegetables will tempt even the most jaded palate.

The wine-tasting booth will allow you to learn which wines will compliment your Christmas dinner menu or embellish that Yule tide party that you are planning.

The Fire Service will be there in an attempt to reach those that their message doesn't often reach: Bermuda's adults. The fire service has plenty of opportunity to stress fire-safety to our schoolkids, but Mom and Dad need that message, too.

The Sunday events will be more religious in tone, in an attempt to catch the true meaning of the Holiday. Christmas carolling will be presented by Mr Kelly Zuill.

READY FOR ACTION -- Mr. Junius Durrant and Ms June Augustus make sure Christmas Expo '93 is a major success.