The Southern Ideal Home Show returns Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 13 with more than 200 exhibiting companies showing their latest offerings for home, lawn and garden.

The 31^st annual event takes place at The Park Expo and Conference Center at 2500 E. Independence Blvd. in Charlotte.

 The home show brings experts from the homebuilding and home improvement industries together with homeowners seeking deals and ideas. Exhibiting companies will have materials and know-how on everything from the front lawn to the back deck, from boxwoods to bathrooms and from kitchens to carports.

 “We’ve done all the work for show guests,” said Show Manager Mardee Woodward. “Whether you’re just starting to brainstorm – or have your contractor on speed dial – this show has something for you. Doing this much legwork on your own would be time-consuming and exhausting. Year after year, we make it easy – and fun – for guests.”

 “The Southern Ideal Home Show is for both do-it-yourselfers and those homeowners who would rather hire out building, remodeling, decorating and landscaping services,” Woodward added.

 Guests may meet exhibitors with cabinets, hardware, fixtures, tile, flooring, lighting, window treatments and building materials on display.

Those interested in lawn and garden will find landscape pros with information on irrigation, outdoor lighting and furniture, spas, pools and more.

 Charlotte’s top chefs will host demos on the cooking stage.

Among this year’s special guests on Friday, is Pete Nelson, the “Treehouse Guy.”

 Saturday offers a chance for guests to be on TV as Celebrity Chef Jeff Henderson tapes segments for an episode of “Flip My Food.”

“Chef Jeff” alters favorite dishes from award-winning chefs, celebrities and home cooks and makes them healthier – but every bit as tasty.

Henderson tells his life story in The New York Times bestseller, “Cooked: My Journey from the Streets to the Stove.” After an appearance on “Oprah,” Sony Pictures bought the rights to his life story, which is now being made into a motion picture.

 Show hours: Friday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

 Admission: $10 at door. Youth (15 and under) free with paying adult. Advanced discount tickets available at area Walgreens for $7.

 Specials: Seniors Day (55+) is Friday, Sept. 11: $7

Hero Day is Friday, Sept. 11: Active and Retired Military, EMTs, firefighters and police officers get one free admission with valid ID.

 Fourth annual $5 admission after 5 p.m. on Friday evening – with free parking sponsored by Fox 46 Charlotte.

 Parking: General parking is $7. Cash only.

Sponsors: The Charlotte Observer and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and TheHomeMag Charlotte for the IDEAL Home Stage.

For information: call (704) 376.6594 or visit www.SouthernIdealHomeShow.com