Get inspired. Home and Garden Show runs Friday through Sunday.
Honey do lists across North Idaho are filling up with home improvement projects as the economy continues to surge and people continue to invest in their own homes.
Builders are bursting with optimism and they are touting new home improvement trends, such as quartz countertops, electric fireplaces, engineered wood and a return to lighter colors.
“There are a lot of new and amazing materials being used in homes,” said Dennis Cunningham, president of the North Idaho Building Contractors Association. “We’re seeing people investing in their homes or buying new homes.”
Home improvement retailers across the country are salivating. Home Depot recently announced record sales for the fourth quarter of 2015 and Lowe’s said it will be hiring more seasonal employees this year to meet demand this spring.
All of this enthusiasm is expected to continue at the North Idaho Building Contractors Association’s 44th annual Home and Garden Show, which will be held Friday through Sunday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
“We want to inspire people,” said Shelly Donovan, executive officer of the North Idaho Building Contractors Association. “The first 300 families through the door each day will receive a free annual plant for their home or garden. We hope people come and see what we have to offer.”
The show has grown and will be held in buildings 1, 2 and 3 — which is a departure from previous years. The Home and Garden Show will also feature a Kid’s Zone, an interactive area that allows children to work on home improvement-like projects.
There are more than 100 vendors with lots of great ideas, from longtime favorites to brand new participants. Food vendors will be on site to offer the “Tastes of Spring” and for age-qualified attendees who prefer libation beer and wine will be available.
Don't miss the free Scavenger Hunt with a grand prize of a 7-day dream vacation. Other prizes include a refrigerator from Fred's Appliance, a Stihl Lawn Trimmer donated by Blue Sky Broadcasting and Regan Equipment, and a beautiful gift basket donated by the Professional Women in Building.
The Home and Garden Show hours are Friday noon to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6, with children 12 and younger admitted free. Bring a can of food to the ticket booth to receive $1 off admission. Food collections will benefit the Union Gospel Mission Coeur d’Alene.
The main show sponsor is CW Wraps and Marketing. The event sponsors are Blue Sky Broadcasting, Ultra-Lawn, North County Electric, Advanced Heating and Air Conditioning, Idaho Central Credit Union, The Coeur d’Alene Press, Carpet Warehouse/ColorTire, and Trademark Mechanical.
--Written by Marc Stewart
Marc Stewart is Director of Sponsored Content for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached at mstewart@cdapress.com or 208-664-8176, ext. 2011.