Home and garden show goes on with new organizers

More than 100 vendors will exhibit their skills and wares this weekend at the first Tri State Regional Home and Garden Show at the Show Me Center.

The show almost didn't happen after its longtime sponsor decided it would no longer organize the event.

After 32 years, the Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association announced in December it would not sponsor the show, said Josh Hanlon, marketing director for the Show Me Center, where the show has been held since 1988. Association members contacted Hanlon about keeping the longtime event going.

"Fifty-seven days ago, we were trying to make the decision: Do we do the home show ourselves or not?" Hanlon said.

The Homebuilders Association was helpful in providing their contact and reservation lists and nearly everyone signed up with the new show, he said. The few that didn't were interested, but already had made other plans, Hanlon said.

Hanlon said he is glad the Show Me Center decided to take on the project, though it has been "a lot of long hours."

The new organizers wanted to bring something fresh to the event, he said. They have increased the number of vendor demonstrations and added a presentation stage, with entertaining and informational programs scheduled throughout each day.

The KFVS 12 weather team will be on hand Friday evening to educate visitors on the use of emergency weather radios and to sign autographs.

On Saturday morning, Sunny Hill Gardens & Florist will broadcast its weekly radio show on KZIM live from the event.

Smokin' Brothers Grilling School will take place all three days to teach visitors how to become "competition-style grillers," Hanlon said.

The arena floor, which can accommodate about 170 10-foot-by-10-foot booth spaces, is sold out. There are still "a handful" of spaces available in the concourse area, Hanlon said.

"There's new faces, but there's still some that have been here since it started," Hanlon said. "We have a full house of vendors. Hopefully we'll get a full house of the public."

For more information, a complete schedule of events or to secure a booth for the show, visit showmecenter.biz or call 651-5056.

The Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association did not return calls or email messages left Friday.

salderman@semissourian.com

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