Annual event will be held Fri.-Sun., April 27-29 at the Clark County Event Center
RIDGEFIELD — The annual Home & Garden Idea Fair is Clark Public Utilities’ way of saying “thank you’’’ to its customer owners in Clark County.
“For 27 years our annual Home & Garden Idea Fair has signaled the start of spring for tens of thousands here in Clark County,’’ said Clark Public Utilities CEO and General Manager Wayne Nelson in a letter welcoming area residents to the 2018 event. “Each year we work hard to bring together hundreds of local businesses focused exclusively on products and services for homes, inside and out, and yards.’’
Attendance to the event is free but the Clark County Event Center (17402 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield) does charge $6 to park.
Highlights of the event include a plant sale (veggies, annuals, perennials, trees, baskets and more), guest experts sharing ideas for your home and garden, hundreds of area businesses inspiring home improvements, a landscape showcase (beautiful displays, designed and built by local landscape professionals), a free KidZone, and hundreds of booths featuring the best home and garden products and services.
“What started as a way to showcase new technologies to make homes more energy-efficient and comfortable, has evolved to include an annual update on utility programs, emerging trends in indoor and outdoor living, and a free weekend of engaging activities for the whole family,’’ Nelson stated in his letter.
Event organizers remind those planning to attend that the event is free but Clark Public Utilities will accept canned food donations at the fair entrance for local food banks and cash donations to Operation Warm Heart.
Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring a jacket or dress in layers. The Exhibition Hall is heated but there are plenty of other outdoor features to check out. Event-goers are also encouraged to bring their own wheelchairs, since only a number of wheelchairs will be available to borrow at the entrance gates.
A variety of concessions will be available to purchase, including sandwiches, hamburgers and popcorn.
For safety reasons, no pets except identified service dogs are allowed on the fairgrounds.
A plant holding area is available near the plant building, and package holding is available in the Exhibition Hall. Cash machines will be available in the lobby of the Exhibition Hall and in the Plant Sale building.
Plant sale
Inspiration, expert advice and everything you need to start the spring gardening season is at this year’s plant sale, sponsored by The Specialty Nursery Association of Clark County (SNACC).
Located in the building across from the Exhibition Hall, booths will be brimming with flowers, trees, succulents, starts, native plants and hanging baskets. Wagon rentals and shopping boxes are available, and large plants and trees can be loaded in a pick-up area.
Details about the plant sale and SNACC members are at www.specialtynursery.org.
Area businesses inspire home improvements
Those planning to attend can get started on their home improvement projects or bring their to-do list and connect with the local businesses who can help.
Whether you’re set to tackle the roof, siding, patio, yard or any other aspect of home ownership, the Home & Garden Idea Fair brings you face to face with nearly 200 commercial vendors offering home and garden products and services.
Ready to start from the ground up? Local home builders can show you plans and talk through your options whether you’re downsizing or dreaming.
Guest experts
Event organizers invite attendees to join those at the Guest Presentations Stage, hosted by the Building Industry Association and Think! Campaign.
The Building Industry Association of Clark County and the Think! Campaign will be on hand with information about local construction and the importance of permitting your home improvement project.
Learn more about protecting the value of your home and the safety of your family at thinkcampaign.com.
Innovation home
Those in attendance can see the new Innovation Home, built by the nation’s EnergyStar® Homes Partner of the Year, New Tradition Homes.
Tour the home, located inside the Exhibition Hall, for a close-up look at the newest approach in local home building including Innovative Design, Innovative Style, Innovative Construction and Innovative Systems. See how highly efficient technologies can make your home more comfortable and keep energy costs down.
Free fun in the KidZone
Bring the family for free activities. Play for prizes and go green with eco-themed hands-on fun.
Attendees can go mad with MAD Science experiments and explore the “Power Zone” with interactive “Electri-City” safety demos, a bike generator to pedal your way to power, and “hair-raising” experiences with a real Van de Graaf generator.
This year’s activities include:
- MAD Science “Hoop it Up” recycling game and Scientopia
- Plant a seed – grow your own seedling from the start!
- Bird feeder crafting – make a treat for our feathered friends
- Sammy the Salmon coloring with the StreamTeam
Community & environment
From native plants to worm composting, and from recycled building materials to hazard mitigation, come see what’s new from our environmental and community exhibitors. These local experts can help you create a healthy habitat in your own backyard and make your home safe and prepared.
Hosted by the Clark Public Utilities StreamTeam, this garden features a large-scale native plant garden. Learn how to help native pollinators thrive and attract butterflies, hummingbirds and more. Find out how you can play a part in bringing salmon back to Salmon Creek with StreamTeam. There are volunteer opportunities for all ages and abilities.
Landscape showcase
Attendees can stroll through crowd-pleasing gardens brimming with beautiful flowers, trees and hardscape features in the Exhibition Hall.
Event-goers will also have the opportunity to speak with local landscape designers from the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals, who together bring vision and talent to the annual Landscape Showcase.
For more information about the 2018 Home & Garden Idea Fair, go to https://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/event/home-garden-idea-fair/ .
