Rhode Island Home Show Preview

Saturday, March 19, 2011

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

It's the largest Home Show in southern New England and when it kicks into gear at the Rhode Island Convention Center March 31-April 3, there will be a record-breaking 400+ exhibitors, a Fine Arts Showcase, how-to seminars, children’s entertainment, cooking demonstrations and sampling.

All for ten dollars.

New for 2011: The Fine Arts Showcase

Featuring more than 80 artisans in fine art, pottery, glassware, and other media, representing galleries from New York and New England, the Fine Arts Showcase will also have daily demonstrations. A portion of the proceeds will go to RIBA’s Builders Helping Heroes charity. At the end of the show, 14 pieces of fine art will be given away.  

Seminars for DIYers

This year’s seminar line-up includes the popular How to Hire a Contractor, New Kitchen and Bathroom Trends and

“The Coupon Queen” Kathy Spencer, left. Kathy, who has been featured on Good Morning America, Inside Edition and the Food Network will offer her popular, nationally known “How to Shop for Free” seminars on Saturday and Sunday. This mother of four claims to feed her family and shops for everything virtually free.  

Home Show Destressers

It can be a grind going from booth to booth. Thank goodness the Home Show's Rejuvenation Room returns for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6-9pm. Attendees can relax with free chair massages from Back in Balance and Therapeutic Impressions LLC while sampling fine wines from the vineyards of the Jonathan Edwards Winery, Rhode Island’s own Newport Storm Beer, Cabot Cheese, as well as chocolate treats from Sweet Occasions.

Food!

Award-winning chefs from Newport Restaurant Week return to the Home Show demonstration kitchen. Cooking

demonstrations and recipe sampling from the kitchens of Newport and Bristol County Restaurants will take place Thursday and Friday evening from 6-8, Saturday from Noon-6pm and Sunday from 11am-3:30pm.

Giveaways!

At the end of the show, the Frigidaire Gallery edition dishwasher, refrigerator and range from the demonstration kitchen will be given away to one lucky attendee. The appliances have been donated by Gil’s Television and Appliance, J&A Appliance and Home Theater Center and S & W TV and Appliance.

Houses for Dogs

Don't miss the entrants for this year's Designer Dog House Competition, with entries built by area career and technical school students. Visitors will be able to vote on their favorite entry for the People’s Choice Award, and prizes will be awarded in several categories.

The schools competing are Warwick Area Career & Technical Center, Woonsocket Area Career & Technical Center, Wm. M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School, Chariho Area Career & Technical Center and Burrillville High School. Winners will be judged by a panel of judges comprised of residential building industry professionals.

The categories include: Most Green, Most Creative, Most Functional and Best in Show. Winning teams will receive a $250 gift card from one of these generous RIBA members: Douglas Lumber Home Center, JT’s/Riverhead Building Supply, Arnold Lumber Co., Inc., Coventry Lumber, Inc., L. Sweet Lumber Co., Inc.

Kid stuff

Don't be afraid to bring the whole family... the show always offers plentiful activities and entertainment for kids, from performances by Kaleidoscope Theatre, balloon animal artist Lon Cerel, a visit with Paws the Pawtucket Red Sox Mascot and a craft area located in the Fine Arts Showcase.

The Home Show, March 31 - April 3, Thurs-Fri 2-9pm, Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-6pm. Adults - $10, seniors - $8 (65 and older) , children - 13 and under are free. Thurs is AAA Day: save $4 on full-price adult admission. Parking Discount - Thursday & Friday: Save $2 on Convention Center garage parking on March 31st & April 1st, by BRINGING YOUR PARKING TICKET to the Rhode Island Builders Association's booth, #900. For more information and schedule information for seminars, go here.

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