SPRING HOME SHOWS
Show highlights and hot tips and products from the vendors
As we all know, spring in Alaska doesn't necessarily mean sunshine and flowers, but we can always count on the arrival of the home show season. From Juneau to Fairbanks, check out the newest ideas and products in building, remodeling, decorating, landscaping and other home-related services. Whether you have plans or just dreaming, Alaska's home shows can help bring your new home or remodel project closer to reality.
What's In: Hot tips and products from the vendors
Juneau
"Home Matters" at the 2011 Juneau Home Show, presented by the Northern Southeast Alaska Building Industry Association. Last year, more than 3,000 locals attended the show to visit with the various home-related vendors all under one roof.
For $25, attend the Friday night wine tasting from 4:30-8:30 pm for a more intimate chance to mingle with the vendors. And Sunday is Family Day with balloon animals and entertainment for the kids.
Check www.seabia.com/homeshow for seminar and vendor updates.
Anchorage
Presented by the Anchorage Home Builders Association, the 51st Annual Anchorage Home & Remodeling Show attracts thousands of attendees every year and is the longest running trade show in the state. This year's show will have a Mardi Gras theme and is listed as an official Fur Rondy event. Visit with more than 280 vendors and learn about the newest innovations in green building, remodeling and garden products and services.
National professional speaker Beverly Koehn will host the Friday and Saturday night seminars "How to Select Your Builder or Remodeler" and "Cost vs. Value – Understanding the Difference" from 5-8 pm. Many seminars in a wide variety of home and remodeling topics will be available throughout the weekend. Visit www.ahba.net to see a map and full seminar schedule.
Upon arrival you will receive a free tote bag and a coupon book featuring many of the home show Special Home Show Section exhibitors. New this year is a balloon twister for the kids, and free admission from 5-8 pm Friday and Saturday. Be sure to enter the $1000 giveaway (per day) to be used with a home show vendor within 60 days.
The 18th Annual Spring Preview of Homes features homes throughout the Anchorage and Eagle River areas, and will be open for viewing Saturday and Sunday, March 12 and 13. It's also a good chance to see firsthand the work of various local builders. A complete list of properties that are entered in the preview will be available at www.ahba.net.
Mat-Su
At the 31st Annual Mat-Su Home Show, themed "Building on our Future," expect to see many vendors with information regarding energy, weatherization, money-saving ideas and green-building options. In today's market, not everyone can go out and buy a new home so why not make improvements on the one you have now, says Raye Krueger, home show committee chair. "These builders are also available for remodels or small home projects."
Every year the show hosts a canned food drive where every person who brings in five cans of food gets free admission. More than 8,000 attended last year's show, bringing in more than 800 lbs. of canned food.
Hourly door prizes will be given away throughout the weekend, and be sure to sign up at the Spenard Builders Supply booth for the big greenhouse giveaway, says Krueger. "We are very fortunate to have them on board with us every year." The drawing will be held on Sunday, and you need not be present to win.
Admission for the general public will be $5 per person. Children under 12, and those who bring five cans of food per person will be allowed in for free. Those who show Military ID receive a 50-percent discount.
Fairbanks
"Interior Garden Party" is this year's theme at the 27th Annual IABA Home Show where attendees can visit with more than 150 vendors about the latest in everything home. Presented by the Interior Alaska Building Association, the show has become a major community event for people interested in every aspect of northern living.
This is the only home show in Fairbanks, and has become the unofficial kick-off to spring and the building season in our community, says Kris Knutzen of KO Productions. "The show's continued and growing success is due to the quality of the vendors and the home-related merchandise that is available at the event."
This year, seminars will focus on energy-efficient products and services and will run all weekend. Schedules will be available at www.fairbanksevents.com approximately 20 days before the show, and will be listed in the newspaper the week of the show.
Be sure to enter the Carnival Cruise of a Lifetime giveaway sponsored by Denali State Bank and MacCheyne's Carpets Plus. Win a 4-night cruise aboard one of Carnival's Fun Ships to your choice of the Bahamas, Western Caribbean or Mexico, including airfare.
Kenai
Now in its 32nd year, the Kenai Peninsula Home Show, hosted by the Kenai Peninsula Builders Association (KPBA) and Spenard Builders Supply, is the area's oldest and largest trade show. "As the original organizer since the very first show, we have watched the show grow and evolve into an extremely well-attended and fun community event that is looked forward to by both young and old," says Cindy Rombach of the KPBA. "Truly something for every member of the family!"
As always, door prizes donated by the vendors will be drawn throughout the show. "In addition, there will be a drawing for a barbecue grill, mountain bike and $500 cash," says Rombach.
KPBA will again be holding their annual raffle with proceeds to benefit their scholarship and education fund. "Each year, KPBA builders and volunteers construct a beautiful custom-built structure. Previous projects have included greenhouses, storage sheds, saunas and playhouses," Rombach explains. The raffle project will be on display at the show, and tickets can be purchased for $5 each, or 5 for $20. The winning ticket will be drawn at the close of the show on Sunday.
Seminars will be scheduled for both days, and information will be available in the Home Show Brochure, which is published by The Peninsula Clarion, and available in the Friday paper, as well as at the door.
Mat-Su
Closing the spring home show season is the 2nd Annual Alaska Home, Garden & Outdoor Living Show, "Everything to do with home, garden and outdoor living in Alaska." Presented by D.A.M.M. Straight Productions and sponsored by GCI.
The show will feature 125 vendors with a special "green" section promoting energy conservation and green companies, educational seminars and how-to workshops, says Michael Fisher, the event producer. A seminar schedule will be available at www.dammstraightproductions.com a few weeks prior to the show, and in the Anchorage Daily News a week before the show.
This is the place where you can talk to designers, make your plans and listen to the experts, says Fisher. If you have a home, there's a project you could be working on, inside and outside. Adults can take a break and relax in the beer and wine garden.
Be sure to enter the door prize drawing for a chance to win fabulous prizes, including 50,000 Alaska Airlines miles or a free cell phone with three months of free service, courtesy of GCI. Free admission and free parking.