Spring is almost here. Actually, the first day of spring — the vernal equinox — won’t arrive until March 20, but the 54th annual Southern Spring Home & Garden Show will give show guests an early taste of what’s to come.
For the first time in its history, the event will be spread over two weekends. This year’s theme, “Better Living: Home. Garden. Life,” will be woven throughout all the exhibitions and lectures on Feb. 21 through 23 and again on Feb. 28, March 1 and 2.
“We are ready,” said Mardee Woodward, the show’s manager. “We’ve got perennial favorites returning and some really exciting new, nationally known guests coming. Our team and all the exhibiting companies are excited about the scope of this year’s show. Hosting it on two weekends gives even more people the opportunity to come — and gives diehards a chance to come twice.”
In addition to all the winning features and demos in store, guests will have an opportunity to win big. Guests can register on the contests and promotions page of the website: Register to win for $1,000 to use at the show, one winner each weekend. Show guests can also save by printing discount coupons from the show website.
Wellness is a big theme this year. The HealthCorps “Highway to Health Pavilion” and its participants are ready to show guests how to incorporate healthy eating and exercise into their lives. Organizations participating in the pavilion include Earth Fare, New Balance, Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, Kwik Golf and more. HealthCorps was founded by Dr. Mehmet Oz and his wife, Lisa, in 2003 as an innovative in-school model that inspires teens to make healthy food choices.
There’s a lot be learned in and from a garden, and the Ultimate Schoolyard Garden, new this year and presented by the Green Teacher Network, will be a good teacher. The 18-station learning lab includes lessons in math, science, nutrition and recycling. Guests can use their Smartphones to get more information — about better living through gardening — as they enjoy the massive display.
Special guests in store at the show include The Renegade Gardener, also known as Don Engebretson; Carmen Johnston, a garden lifestyle expert and founder of the garden event company, Nectar and Company; The Fabulous Beekman Boys, stars of their own popular documentary series on The Cooking Channel; and Robert “Buddy” Lee, inventor of the Encore Azalea, the only azalea to bloom in spring, summer and fall.
Food is always a big part of the show. Prominent chefs will share their tricks of the trade throughout each day on the Cooking Stage. Guests will leave with recipes, know-how and inspiration.
For further information, visit www.southernspringhomeandgardenshow.com.