Home and Garden Show comes to Show Me Center

The 28th annual Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association Home and Garden Show is being held this weekend at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. The event attracts vendors and visitors from all over Southeast Missouri, from Jefferson County to as far south as Kennett, Mo., said Sarah Geringer, a self-employed event planner hired by the Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association. This is her sixth year coordinating the Home and Garden Show.

"It's a pretty diverse show," she said. "It's not just for people building a home."

For example, people can munch on kettle corn while making their way through the center or get their picture taken with a baby tiger. Upstairs is smaller women's show, where several home-based businesses are showcased. There is also a farmers market where fresh flowers, plants and vegetables are available.

Curb Creations is participating in the show for the second year. "It's a really great opportunity to get your product or service out there," said Nancy Johns, who owns the business with her husband, Bill. "A lot of people come through."

Johns said the extra publicity helped their business and that "they did really well last year."

Beverly Conway of Winnelson said they've had a booth at the home show for at least 15 years. This year their display includes a bathtub that is heated and iPod-ready. The speakers are built into the sides of the tub.

Geringer points out an 8-foot television housed at the Stereo One booth and also notes a 14-foot spa provided by Kasten Masonry that creates a current strong enough for occupants to swim against. "Those are novelties people might be interested in," she said.

idavis@semissourian.com

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