Blair Home and Garden Showcase set to begin | News, Sports, Jobs

Driver Doug Crile (left) and store manager Luke Mock of West Central Equipment, Martinsburg, set up their company’s display at Blair County Convention Center on Wednesday for Blair County Home Garden & Healthy Living Showcase set for Friday, Feb. 28, through Sunday, March 2.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Homeowners, gardeners and do-it-yourselfers will find a little bit of everything at the annual Blair County Home Garden & Healthy Living Showcase this weekend at the Blair County Convention Center.

The event, presented by the Blair County Chamber of Commerce and the Blair Bedford Builders Association, will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5; children under 10 years of age are admitted free of charge. On Saturday, there will be a Kids Area in partnership with Arts Altoona. In addition, ticket stubs should be filled out and submitted for a chance at door prizes.

The annual show — now in its 53rd year — offers a respite from winter and presents ideas for those considering remodeling, building, landscaping and more. With more than 100 exhibitors, there is something for everyone, organizers said.

“The goal of the event is to showcase our region’s vendors and experts in home, garden and healthy living, allowing the public to learn more about their services and discuss options for themselves,” said Matt Fox, vice president business retention and expansion for Altoona Blair County Development Corp., a partner with the chamber in the Blair County Alliance for Business and Economic Growth.

The showcase “allows the vendors/companies/providers the ability to build their business, increase awareness and lead to eventual sales,” Fox said.

The event chairmen, Jim Burchfield II, of Burchfield and Son Landscaping Inc., and Dave DeBiase, executive officer of the builders association, said residents and area contractors will have the opportunity to have face-to-face conversations about home improvement projects.

“It’s a great way for homeowners to get started on the path to getting their project done and meet contractors,” Burchfield said. “I think the goal of any business that participates is to meet new customers or reconnect with customers that you have worked for in the past that may be looking at a new project.”

Burchfield said his company does not have a booth in this year’s show since “we have a lot of work scheduled for the coming year already.”

“We do have a display in the lower lobby of the convention center,” Burchfield added.

The show attracts many “repeat” vendors, such as Roofworks USA, which has been participating for at least 10 years, owner Paul Balzano said.

“We love to participate in order to help our community. We always look forward to meeting people face to face, as well as making connections with other companies in our community,” Balzano said. “By participating in our local home show, it helps us to let folks know that we are indeed a local company with ties to the community. It puts our faces with our name. The customer gets to know us before we arrive at their home.”

Wagner Hardscaping will be participating for the seventh year.

“It is a great way to let the community know about the services we offer and get feedback about services they would like us to offer,” said owner Rubin Wagner. “It allows us to meet face-to-face with potential customers, answer any questions and set up in-home estimates.”

Wagner Hardscaping owns their own heavy equipment, which allows them to complete their own excavating.

“This year, we plan on starting to advertise as two entities ‘Wagner Hardscaping’ and ‘Wagner Custom Excavation,’” he said.

Signature HomeStyles is participating for the sixth year, and owner Gloria Hickox expects both new and repeat customers.

“I want people to know what I and Signature HomeStyles has to offer them for their home and for gift purchases,” she said, adding that attending the show helps not only with sales, but also helps get her business name out to the public.

“I now have repeat customers who come looking for me to see what is new for this year,” she said. A popular item, Sparkle Glass Cylinders, have changeable inserts, so customers come back to get more inserts, she added.

Also looking to connect with the community and with potential clients, Central Pa. Blinds and Designs of East Freedom will be back for the third time.

“Hopefully this will be an avenue to connect with more local and surrounding areas to provide them with our great products and services,” said vice president/manager Jodie Potter Neely. “The event is designed for people who are looking to improve the appearance of their homes and we want to provide them with the best quality, service and education for all their window treatment needs,” she said. “Changing how you see the world, one window treatment at a time.”

Other exhibitors will have displays featuring solar and internet options, tree trimming information, home sales, plumbing and heating, gifts, security systems, water suppliers, fire safety, insulation, heating and cooling and more.

In addition, the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners will be on site with gardening tips and information.