71 years later, Western Mass Home & Garden Show is still going strong
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Not everyone is a do-it-yourselfer or handy around the house, and some jobs are just too big or technical to try to do on your own.
That is why there are events like this weekend's Original Western Mass Home & Garden Show in the Better Living Center on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield where you can get help.
Some home show across the country are on the decline and closing their doors, partly because more people are shopping online.
"After 71 years we are still going strong and our exhibitor space is sold out," said Andrew Crane, executive director of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Mass, which organizes the annual event.
"I know there are companies selling cars online now, but do you really want to buy one before seeing it in person or driving it?" he asked. "In the same way, I want to be able to meet my remodelers before they show up at my house. The value of the home show is that you can meet and get to know them beforehand, look at photographs of some of their work, and if it applies, even see and touch some of the latest products on the market."
More than 300 vendors will have booths at this year's show, offering products and services in some 100 categories such as roofing, siding, windows and doors, lawn services, masonry, lawn and garden equipment, plumbing and heating, remodeling, painting, modular homes, patio furniture, gutters, kitchens and baths, flooring, and much more.
And, if you are in the planning stages of a new home, there will be banks on hand to provide financial services, home loans and mortgages.
Among the many categories, roofing (21 vendors), remodelers (20 vendors), windows (18 vendors) and bathrooms (15 vendors) are the four biggest categories represented in the show.
Stephen Libby of Contemporary Structures is seen through a railing during a past Western Mass Home & Garden Show on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition. (Steven E. Nanton photo)
Expect to see many people huddled around the roofer booths at this year's show.
"I haven't seen ice damming like this in a good 15 to 20 years," said Ken Pooler of Home City Roofing in Springfield.
This year's significant snow and ice storms have caused ice dams to form at the edge of roofs, which prevents melting snow from draining properly, sending water underneath roof shingles and resulting in water damage inside homes, he explained.
"We've been getting many calls to repair damage caused by ice dams, which begin by making sure there is adequate attic insulation and ventilation, which is important to stop heat loss which leads to thawing and freezing," he added.
Pool also addressed the fact that roofers have the most booths at the show.
"The roofing market is saturated in Western Massachusetts and that brings out a lot of competition. Stop by our booth and learn what separates us from the rest by talking with us, looking at some of the materials we use, and photographs of past jobs," Pool said.
N. Riley Construction/General Contractor in Chicopee is one of the many remodelers exhibiting at the show.
"We concentrate on new construction, renovations and home additions. We have been exhibiting at the Home Show for quite a long time and get a lot of business as a result of our presence there," said owner Nick Riley.
He added that remodeling is "very popular now" because of the high cost of new construction, high interest rates, and simply finding available land on which to build.
"We have a lot of additions on our books right now and a lot of remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms which are our bread and butter," Riley said.
"You will see me at the show meeting with people and answering their questions, and we will have a slideshow of past and present projects and some of the materials we use on display," he added.
Kaylie Bruno of Asia-Teak shows off some hand-carved Mandalas at a past year's Western Mass Home & Garden Show on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. (Steven E. Nanton photo)Steven E. Nanton
Once again, in conjunction with 94.7 WMAS, the Western Mass. Home & Garden Show Sweepstakes will be giving away more than $8,500 in prizes in what is themed "Win Your Seat at the Table."
"In the name of workforce development, this year we have reached out to two groups who teach trades to young people — the Home Builders Institute and Westover Job Corps. They teach them how to work on their cars, they teach them how to do carpentry, plumbing, electrical, all those things. And we have engaged them to build for us 20 picnic tables and 20 garden benches to be given away," Crane said.
In addition to the tables and benches, there will be prizes from Rocky's Ace Hardware, as well as concert tickets and other surprises.
To enter the sweepstakes, fill out the entry form online at westernmasshomeshow.com and return it to the 94.7 booth at the Home Show, booth #48, or bring it to the radio's studio inside of the Basketball Hall of Fame. You can also fill out a form in-person at the booth during the show.
Showtimes at the Eastern States Exposition are Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 am. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $10 and free to children under 12, or $7 with a coupon printable from the show's website at westernmasshomeshow.com . On Thursday only, veterans and active military are admitted free to the show.
The Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Massachusetts is a trade association representing more than 350 companies. Association members will be handing out their Membership Directory at the door filled with helpful consumer information, as well as a list of their reputable members by category.
The Eastern States Exposition charges $5 to park, cash only.
For more information, visit westernmasshomeshow.com .
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