This year's theme is “Rebuilding Western Mass., Rebuilding Lives” for show that opens March 22.
Happy spring! It’s home show time! One of the largest home shows in the country is coming to the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, and more than 350 local and national vendors and more than 600 booths will feature myriad opportunities for home and garden upgrades.
Celebrating its 58th year, the Original Western Mass. Home & Garden Show runs Thursday through Sunday in the Better Living Center in the Young Building and in the outdoor area between the two buildings.
With about 20,000 visitors expected annually, the home and garden show is a big draw “because people are always looking for ways to improve their current castle or looking to, or thinking of, building a new home,” said Bradford L. Campbell, executive director of the show’s producer, the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Mass.
A variety of professions from builders to painters to roofers will be at the show. There will also be information on projects ranging from basement or bathroom remodeling to pest control.
Other vendors will deal with financial services, geothermal heating, satellite television, security systems and waterproofing.
The non-profit EcoBuilding Bargains in Springfield again will have a tent sale featuring surplus and used building materials including cabinets, windows and doors.
The sale allows consumers to find architectural elements and other materials that fit into older homes, Campbell said.
According to John L. Grossman, sales and donations manager for EcoBuilding Bargains, an enterprise of Center for EcoTechnology in Pittsfield and Northampton, there is a market for used building materials because “as ‘green’ has become more popular, we’ve become more popular with it.”
Bradford L. Campbell is executive director of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Mass. that produces the Original Western Mass. Home & Garden Show that opens March 22 at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.Ecobuilding’s mission is to divert building materials from landfills, and its presence at the home show is focused not only on showing what’s available in the store but on educating people that they can donate their used building materials to the store.
“Don’t throw it away, donate it,” Grossman said. “I want to see reuse happen.”
The theme for this year’s home and garden show is “Rebuilding Western Mass., Rebuilding Lives.”
Campbell said this reflects the fact that last year’s weather events “not only destroyed people’s homes, but people’s lives were upset and turned upside down.”
The show will be a “launching pad” for community awareness and fund raising for the building of a home in Granby for a soldier injured in Afghanistan, Campbell said. He said his organization has been selected by Homes for Our Troops to be the general contractor for the construction.
There are $3 discount coupons for the home and garden show available at area businesses and area publications. The $3 discount is valid every day of the show but does not apply to previously purchased tickets, special ticket offers or with any other discounts.
Veterans and active military personnel will be admitted free with ID on Thursday.
Parking is located near the home show compound. The Eastern States Exposition charges a parking fee of $5 upon entering the grounds.
IF YOU GO
What: The Original Western Mass. Home & Garden Show
Where: Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield
When: March 22, 2 to 9 p.m.; March 23, 1 to 9 p.m.; March 24, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and March 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $10; children under 12 free; senior citizens (age 60 and older) $9
For more info: Call (413) 205-5061) or visit www.westernmasshomeshow.com