More than 190 exhibitors will be set up at Mayo Civic Center on Friday afternoon to tout their services and products during the 2011 Builders Home Show , which runs through Sunday.
The show typically draws about 2,000 attendees who come to get ideas for building and remodeling, said Rory Lenton, president of Rochester Area Builders Inc. , which sponsors the show.
Lenton also is the external relations manager for Minnesota Energy Resources, one of several utility companies that will be there to talk with attendees about home energy efficiency.
In addition to utilities, builders and remodelers, attendees will find representatives from: financial institutions, fire place retailers; window, door and siding companies; lumber yards; heating, cooling and plumbing contractors and landscapers.
"Some of the best builders in the area will be there," Lenton said. "And it's for those folks who are thinking of remodeling, because that is really popular now. People aren't investing in new homes at the rate that remodeling is going on."
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The Home Show also will offer about a dozen free seminars on a variety of home improvement topics, such as remodeling for independent living, choosing the right trees for your property and geothermal heating and cooling.
There will be two-for-one admission on opening day, when attendees will receive coupons for two-for-one drinks at four local bars/restaurants.
On Saturday, the show has its Family Fun Day, including a variety of activities for children. New this year will be a marionette show by Rochester Community and Technical College's Drama Club and a dog obedience training demonstration by Paws Abilities.
The show will, again, have its Once Upon A Playhouse fundraiser for Family Service Rochester. Three area builders and Riverland Community and Technical College constructed four playhouses to be raffled off during the Home Show. The raffle tickets are $10 (or three for $25) and all proceeds go to Family Service, which provides counseling and support for people dealing with family violence.
"Traditionally, they raise quite a few dollars on the playhouses. And they're so cool, too. They're really upscale playhouses," Lenton said.
Last year, proceeds from Once Upon A Playhouse raised $40,000 for Family Service.
Sunday's attendees will have the chance to get a Taste of Rochester in the Civic Center's North Lobby. Selling food there will be: Roscoe's Root Beer & Ribs, Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe, Twig's Tavern & Grille and Bob's Smoke Stack Ribs.
