Ten thousand visitors to the Lake Laberge Lions Club trade show had the chance to eat chicken, subs, cookies and drink coffee to raise money for charity.

Show co-ordinator Bob Downey said this morning vendors who were not happy with non-profits and charities having their food booth hopes quashed last week stepped in to fill the void.

'None of them were happy with what happened.'

He said there was chicken, salmon, doughnuts, coffee, and Quiznos sub sandwiches which were given to trade show visitors. Then, donations were accepted.

'It was all free,' said Downey. 'When I said they weren't happy, there were donation boxes.

'The money will go to the people that weren't allowed to set up booths,' he said.

Downey said he put the number of visitors at the trade show at between 8,000 and 10,000 people.

Last Monday, the Kiwanis Club, Sisters Abreast, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving were told they were not allowed to set up their trade booths due to exclusive agreements for food at the Canada Games Centre held by Subway and the Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters.

Kirsten Macdonald, team captain for Yukon Sisters Abreast, said members of her group are still very disappointed they weren't allowed to participate in the trade show.

'For our group, we have to raise $10,000, that's $2,000 each,' she said of the team that will be walking to raise money for breast cancer in Edmonton in August.

'Being excluded hit us hard; we're still pretty choked.'

Macdonald said she was excited to hear that her group could be getting some money from the trade show's fundraising activities.

'That would be fantastic; that would be great. Every little bit helps.'

Stan Marinoske, the local Kiwanis Club's treasurer, said this morning he was happy to see the community come out and support the clubs that were not allowed to participate in food-vending.

'I think that's fantastic, I think that's great, I think it's good support,' he said.

'Obviously what we're doing in this community means something to people.'

Marinoske said he'd like to see the city make some exceptions for people who are trying to raise money for the community.

'I think it's a rotten deal; I hope the city looks at that.

'I can understand the restaurants want exclusivity, but there should be exceptions for events like the trade show.'

According to the Lions Club agreement with the city for the event, vendors were not supposed to serve food or beverages.

Section nine of the agreement's rules and regulations state: 'Renters cannot sell or serve food or food products, sell raffle tickets or in any way, shape or sell services that could interfere with the City of Whitehorse and its suppliers, without prior written approval of the City of Whitehorse.'

City officials could not be reached for comment on how the weekend went.