Home, flower show will spark your creativity
Published 10:18 pm Thursday, March 3, 2011
Looking for something out of the ordinary to do this weekend?
The Tidewater Builders Association and the Virginia Horticultural Foundation will be hosting the Mid-Atlantic Home and Flower Show March 4-6 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
“It’s a one-stop shop for your home and garden needs,” said Bill Halprin, president of the association.
This is the fifth year in a row that the Tidewater Builders Association and the Virginia Horticultural Foundation have teamed up to host the show. With hundreds of displays and exhibits by local vendors, the event typically draws 25,000 people. This year’s theme is “Love Your Home Again.”
The event will feature expert floral and home-care experts, a European flower market, floral competitions, landscape displays, free antique appraisals, a dog sports competition, energy-efficiency displays and ideas, pet portraits and more.
The event will feature activities for people of all ages to enjoy, Halprin said.
The children are sure to enjoy the Ultimate K-9 Sports Show. The show features dogs that were adopted from pounds and shelters and are trained to perform on television and at events all over the nation.
“It’s a lot of fun for families and kids,” Halprin said. “They put on a very good show.”
The show will give them attendees the opportunity to see things that they could do to improve their current homes or even find ideas to fix up their homes to put on the market.
“With the economy today, people aren’t buying as many houses,” Halprin said.
There will be several “green” vendors and contractors at the event to give homeowners ideas and suggestions on how to reduce utility costs.
Attendees will be given a passport when they arrive to have stamped by the green vendors. Upon filling up the passport, participants will have the opportunity to win prizes.
Homeowners also will have the opportunity to see and experience new products firsthand. The show will feature such new products as the Michael Phelps Swim Spa and the induction oven that will be demonstrated by No Frills Grill in Norfolk.
“These things are there to see, touch and feel and see how they work,” Halprin said.
The show will feature speakers such as Jeff Holper, who will explain how to distinguish between moles and voles and will offer tips on how to exterminate pests.
“It’s very enjoyable for those coming to the show,” Halprin said.
It will also feature “Dr. Lori,” who was at the show last year, offering free antique appraisals. Halprin suggests looking in your garage or attic to find antiques and collectibles.
“Those hidden treasures are out there. It’s just a matter of bringing them to the show,” he said.
“It’s so unique and so neat every year,” Halprin said. “Every year you see something different.”
For more information, visit the website at www.midatlantichomeandflowershow.com.