(East Providence, Rhode Island) The largest and oldest Home Show in southern New England is returning to the Rhode Island Convention Center today through Sunday March 14. Rhode Island’s longest running show with over 300 exhibitors, how- to- seminars, children’s entertainment and cooking demonstrations! Attendees will quickly see that “It’s All Here” at the 2010 show. The Rhode Island Convention Center will be filled with aisles of useful information on home building and remodeling trends, including how to make your home more energy efficient.

Special seminars will be held Saturday and Sunday. Topics include: Staying in Your Home as You Age, Kitchen and Bath Design Trends for 2010, How to Hire a Contractor, Better Use of Space in Your Home, Green Building and Landscape Design 101.

New this Year!

“How-To” Stage:

- Advertisement -

A new “How-To” stage was developed to help consumers to make informed buying decisions. According to Bob Yoffe, Home Show manager, “Exhibitors have so much knowledge and information at their fingertips, but because of time constraints on both the buyer and seller, all this information is difficult to impart and digest. The “How-To” stage allows our vendors an opportunity to make a full presentation of their products and services to their potential buyers and interested consumers, while not being a 30-minute infomercial.”

“For example, as part of the Green movement, energy efficiency in windows is a critical factor. Andersen/Brosco has created a “Homeowner Boot Camp” which provides homeowners with information related to Energy Star and the Government tax credit running through 2010,” Yoffe explains. “Many questions remain in the market as to how the law works and what a homeowner needs to know to take advantage of the tax credit as well as understanding what to look for when selecting a window and door. These types of presentations allow consumers an opportunity gather information and ask questions without the feeling that they need to make that buying decision on the spot.“

Art-A-Thon for Haiti:

This year’s show will host an “Art-A-Thon for Haiti”, Thursday March 11th through the Sunday March 14th. Organized by local Artist Kim Ellery, “Art-A-Thon for Haiti” is a collaboration of local and national artists who will be donating their time and talents in an effort to make a difference for the people of Haiti. At the Home Show, attendees can watch Artists at work non-stop, painting, drawing, creating their masterpieces right there at the Home Show every hour that the show is open.

For a $5 donation to the Red Cross for Haiti, names will be entered for a chance to win one of the pieces of Art being created at the Home Show. Names will be drawn and randomly matched with a piece of Art, and the winners will be contacted after the show and will be able to collect their Artwork at Jerry’s Artarama the national sponsor of Art -A-Thon For Haiti in Providence, R.I.

Healthy Home-Wellness Area:

Shape-Up RI promotes “Healthy Homes” at this year’s Home Show at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Shape-Up RI is a statewide exercise and weight loss challenge. This annual health campaign encourages Rhode Islanders to live healthier lives through exercise and nutrition. Participants compete in teams and track their weight and exercise hours over a 12 week period. Over 35,000 Rhode Islanders have lost thousands of pounds, walked millions of miles in this program.

The Shape-Up RI healthy home- wellness area will have area experts on hand to provide information on how to join the program, free health checks and equipment demonstrations. Attendees can try a crank cycle and rower, get their blood pressure checked, learn about nutrition, how to prevent type 2 diabetes, how to stay Heart Healthy, avoid back injuries and how to keep a healthy mind and body.

The idea for the Shape-Up program grew from a desire to reverse the growing obesity epidemic in Rhode Island. Obesity resulting from poor diet and sedentary lifestyle leads to more serious diseases and early death. It also creates tremendous medical costs.

According to Shape-Up RI, “the CDC reports that 60.8% of all adult Rhode Islanders are overweight or obese. Obesity runs up a tab in Rhode Island of $305 million in health care expenses each year.” Shape up Rhode Island promotes physical activity and healthy eating as the best ways to fight obesity. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports that regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness in the United States.

Rejuvenation Night Returns!

The popular Rejuvenation Night returns to the Home Show for three nights. Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 6pm-9pm, attendees can relax with free spa treatments from Renovo Heath and Wellness, taste wines from the vineyards of the Coastal Wine Trail and sample Cabot cheese and delectable chocolate treats from Sweet Occasions!

Newport Restaurant Week Demonstration Kitchen:

Attendees will learn the secrets of the award winning chefs of Newport and Bristol County, live from our Demonstration Kitchen. Mouth-watering recipes from the area’s finest restaurants will be created. Step-by-step instructions will show you how to prepare a scrumptious mix of soups, salads, appetizers, entrees and desserts. Lobster Popovers from the DeWolf Tavern are just one of the many offerings you’ll find in our Kitchen. Bring your appetite because you will enjoy a taste of these delectable dishes after the demonstration!

Samples and recipes from Sam Adams, Cabot Cheese, the Coastal Wine Trail, and Jameson Irish Whiskey will also be offered! Informative seminars on how these wines, brews and liquors are produced make The Newport Restaurant Week Stage a must see at this year’s Home Show! For complete demonstration schedule visit ww.ribahomeshow.com

Home Show Contest:

During the Home Show, attendees can enter to WIN the Newport Restaurant Week Demonstration Kitchen. The Grand Prize Give a way include Stainless Steel Frigidaire Side-by-Side Refrigerator from JA Appliance, Stainless Steel Frigidaire Electric Range from Gil’s Appliance, Stainless Steel Electrolux Dishwasher from S & W TV & Appliance, Cherry Cabinetry and Solid Surface Countertop from R.I. Kitchen & Bath, and a 12-pc Paula Deen Cookware Set From Apex! 2nd Prize: A 7-Night Mediterranean cruise from Variety Cruises provided by CruiseBrothers.com. The winner will have a choice of a 7-Night Aegean Odyssey Cruise on board the Harmony G or 7-Nights cruising the Tales of the Adriatic on board the Pegasus based on travel date.

Last year, the Perry family in Riverside won a Frigidaire 23 cu. ft. Stainless Steel Side-by-Side Refrigerator, a Frigidaire 30″ Stainless Steel Drop-in Electric Range, and a $250 Macy’s gift card!

Family Events!
Sunday is family fun day at the home show, children 12 years of age and younger will be admitted free all day long.

Kaleidoscope Theatre returns with performances on Saturday and Sunday of “The Magic of Story time” a wonderful interactive presentation filled with songs, fables, fantasy, and fun. Parents, bring your cameras! The princesses including Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel will be roaming the show floor to meet and greet children of all ages!

Lon Cerel will entertain and amaze with his balloon creations and magic on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

Paws the Pawtucket Red Sox Mascot will be at the show Sunday.

Patriot’s Alumni Steve Grogan will be at the Verizon booth Saturday from 1-3 and Patriots Cheerleaders will be at the Verizon booth Sunday 1-3pm.

For more information visit ribahomeshow.com

AAA Day is Thursday
“Show Your Card & Coupon to Save” $4 on Full-price Adult Admission.

AAA Discounts – Friday through Sunday
“Show Your Card & Coupon to Save” $2 on Full-price Adult Admission.

Parking Discount – Thursday & Friday
Save $2 on Convention Center garage parking on Thursday and Friday, by bringing your parking ticket to the Rhode Island Builders Association’s booth (new location inside the Exhibit Hall).

Dates and times are:
Thursday and Friday March 11 and 12 2 p.m. – 9
Saturday March 13 10am – 9 p.m.
Sunday March 14 10a.m.- 6p.m.

TICKETS: Tickets cost $10 for adults; $8 for seniors; $3 for children 6-12; and children 5 and under are free. For information, visit ribahomeshow.com.

The Rhode Island Builders Association solely owns and operates the Home Show at the R.I. Convention Center. RIBA was founded in 1945 as a non-profit trade association providing educational, business and professional development services to the residential construction industry. In addition to promoting job safety and product quality to its 1,100 member companies, RIBA is an advocate for a host of housing issues including affordability and economic development.