The Orlando Home & Garden Show returns this weekend to kick off the new year with home improvement, gardening and “everything from your front door to your backyard” resources on display.
The 17th annual show, held Friday through Sunday at the Orange County Convention Center with more than 100,000 square feet of space, offers an opportunity to talk to vendors, seek advice, shop edible items, attend workshops and find inspiration for home and garden projects. Admission to this event is free, courtesy of Spa Manufacturer. If a visitor mentions the house and garden show, the parking fee will be $10 + tax.
“The atmosphere is really festive, with all these stages and thousands of people interacting,” said Pamela Rogers, vice president of Shaw Technology Productions. “Everyone’s doing business. It’s like being at the mall at Christmas.”
Visitors can bring home questions, photos, and ideas to a variety of experts for consultations, estimates, and comparisons, all under one roof.
“This show gives you an opportunity to build relationships and meet people you want to talk to, so by the time Joe the contractor shows up, you already have a personal relationship with him,” Rogers said. “These businesses are your friends and neighbors down the street. 95% of our exhibitors are small businesses.”
While kitchens and landscaping tend to be a big draw for attendees, show guests can also find interior design inspiration, windows and doors, alternative energy exhibits and vendors, hot tubs, builders and remodelers, home organization ideas, and more.
In the outdoor living area, visitors can explore Tuffshed’s “His Shed” and “Hers Shed” ideas for small indoor spaces in the backyard, gardening vendors and professionals, outdoor kitchens, and areas with yard games and outdoor furniture.
There are also activities for the whole family, including cooking classes, children’s activities, on-site pet adoption, backyard wildlife education, and pet training demonstrations. Certain demonstrations in limited spaces allow visitors to take something home with them, such as a class on building a starter herb garden or a cupcake decorating class. One of our child-centered services is a DIY birdhouse activity.
Special guests and experts will lead seminars on fishing, gardening and cooking in three stages. Highlights include discussions about birds of prey, growing food at home, fly fishing in Florida, making mocktails, coffee talk, perfecting chicken tortilla soup, and more.
Taking a break from the hardware store exhibits, the show features a large concession area and an “Art, Gifts and Gourmet” section with edible and take-home items.
Mr. Rogers advised show attendees to download the show guide before the event or pick one up at the door and plan their visit with plenty of things to see and do.
“There’s free stuff for kids and free classes for moms and dads,” she said. “We have something for everyone.”
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If you go
The 17th Annual Home and Garden Show will be held at 9400 Universal Blvd. on January 9th from noon to 5pm, January 10th from 10am to 6pm, and January 11th from 11am to 5pm. In Orlando. Admission to the show is free. On-site parking is $10 + tax. More information: showtechnology.com
