From interior renovations to reinventing the great outdoors the Ridge Meadows Home Show will have everything you need to know.
More than 300 exhibitor booths will pack Planet Ice and the Golden Ears Winter Club, with vendors offering advice and ideas for not only renovating your home, but also landscaping, home decor, beauty, and wellness.
Executive director Graham Vanstone is expecting more than 25,000 guests during the weekend.
“The unique thing about the home show and family festival is there is something for everyone,” said Vanstone, whether you are looking to renovate your home, buy the latest in tools, or want to take the kids to the free family festival with all the entertainment and attractions.
Vanstone notes the home how is not only great for the community – as a place to connect with others – but it supports local business, increases tourism into the city, both of which, he said, increases the economic impact to the community overall.
“I think people forget how much of an economic impact community events have,” added Vanstone.
Outside the front entrance to the home show this year will be a covered showcase featuring ATV, motorcycles, boats for the outdoor enthusiast.
Arctic Spas will be there again this year, for those who would rather relax in a cozy spa or hot tub.
When guests enter the home show they will immediately pass through a sampling area where they will be able to indulge in both sweet and savoury tasty treats from barbecue sauces, to fudge, to salad dressings, and more.
Building A, located inside the curling rink will feature companies who are experts in renovations, landscaping, roofing, siding, solariums, decking, in addition to installation experts ready to offer invaluable advice.
Building B will be in Planet Ice and it is where you will find unique and innovative products for wellness, housewares, and a marketplace.
The colourful girl stuff section will have one-of-a-kind jewelry, cosmetics, spas, linens, and the most popular anti-aging products around.
There will also be a wide range of exhibitors dedicated to beauty, health, and fitness in the wellness section.
Building B is where you will also find the very popular Body, Mind, and Spirit Psychic Fair which will feature 12 to 15 readers each day of the home show. Guests will learn about tarot card reading, reading the lines on your palm, paranormal investigation, and more.
The last building in Planet Ice will feature booths dedicated to decorating, home theatre, appliances, flooring, furnishings, window fashions, hot tubs, paint, woodwork, and design items like artwork.
Tickets to access the exhibitors at the Ridge Meadows Home Show are $5 each or $8 for a family of five.
Once outside again, guests will enter the free Family Fest featuring a stage full of entertainment for the whole family.
Included in this is Vancouver-born Dane Szohner who will be paying tribute to Michael Buble at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday; Norden the Magician, who will be entertaining children with his amazing tricks and hilarious antics for the 10th year in a row on stage at 3 p.m. on Saturday; The Great Gordini will take the stage on Sunday at 11 a.m.; a sneak peak of Shine Bright Studio’s upcoming presentation of Beauty and the Beast Jr., on Sunday at noon; Dunvegan Dance Academy at 11:45 a.m. on the Saturday; Blue Crane Contortion and Acrobatics on Sunday at 2 p.m., and Heather VanOene and her Dancing Dandies at 2 p.m. on the Saturday.
Aside from the great entertainment lineup, there will be a Monster Foam Party, mini golf, a sandbox, roaming Happy Land Events characters, facepainting, a craft tent, a Scouts Canada rally featuring Kub Kar races on Saturday, and a clothes giveaway on Sunday.
Shooting Star Amusements will be on site with stomach-twisting rides and a carnival, fees apply.
And when you get hungry, an incredible lineup of 14 food trucks will be available offering gourmet coffees, fresh lemonade, Greek donair’s, fish and chips, Japa Tacos, mac and cheese, poutine, ice cream from Sweet Tooth Creamery, and the irresistible mini doughnuts.
Parking is free and Katie’s Place volunteers will be helping to direct vehicles into parking lots during the event.
The main lot at Planet Ice will be open for parking and the overflow lots at the Albion Sports Complex will also be available for guest parking with shuttles from the overflow lot to the venue. Drivers for those shuttles are provided by MacDonald Realty, noted Vanstone.
“What I look forward to the most is seeing the community come together, as well as families and friends reconnect. I know there are people who I catch up with from high school every year, like an annual reunion,” he added.
The Ridge Meadows Home Show and free Family Fest hours are Friday 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.