The Chamber of Commerce, in a first-time partnership with the manufactured housing industry in the Oxford Hills, is hosting the “Oxford Hills Manufactured Housing Show – The Largest Housing Display in New England” April 26 to 28.

Chamber of Commerce President Karen Hakala said the event has been in the planning stages since January and she expects to draw crowds numbering into the thousands.

“This is indeed a rare project, one that involves seven competitive business owners in the same industry, located next door to each other, seated around the same table working together to improve their business,” Hakala said.

The seven participants are Alternative Modular Homes, Keiser Industries, Maine Home Center, Maine HomeCrafters, Oxford Homes, Schiavi Homes and Twin Town Homes.

They are located within a 3-mile radius on Route 26 and Route 121.

Collectively, that group accounts for the employment of more than 400 people in the Oxford Hills area. It also boasts a combined 160 years of home building experience.

The show is free to the public.

Industry executives said about 80 homes will be on display.

Oxford Homes & Keiser Industries will also be opening their plants for free tours to the public. During the tours, the public will see the building systems and materials employed by the home manufacturers.

“These homes built today are a far cry from the mobile homes of 30 years ago,” said Robert Huotari, general manager of Twin Town Homes.

The kick off for the 3-day show will be a Chamber of Commerce “Business After Hours” hosted by Twin Town Homes from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 25.

More information is available at The Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce Web site http://www.oxfordhillsmaine.com/.