Spring into your next home improvement project at the Erie Home and Garden Expo

Nicholas Sorensen, Erie Times-News
Updated ·4 min read

Spring has sprung indoors at the Erie Home and Garden Expo.

It's the annual spring show that is taking place this weekend, Friday through Sunday at the Bayfront Convention Center at 1 Sassafras St.

The Home and Garden Expo is one of the largest home shows in the area, according to Mark Concilla, president of Erie Promotions.

"It draws over 6,000 people over the weekend," Concilla said. "It's a great event to help people kickstart spring and their spring products."

The show will feature hundreds of local and regional vendors who will showcase products related to improving homes and outdoor living areas.

“For Lake Erie Variety this is our second year for participating as a vendor for the home and garden show," Tony DiPasqua, owner of Lake Erie Variety LLC at 3330 W. 26th St. said. "The Home and Garden Expo allows us to be present and showcasing a lot of our home décor pieces, our charcuterie boards, our garden stakes, some of our garden items that we sell in store while being present in the Erie community.”

Planning your next spring project

Some people who attend the show might have a big project in mind, such as redesigning a patio.

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Many of the vendors will have displays to give spectators a visual idea of what they can offer, or just some inspiration toward their next project.

“The vendors who are here are local and regional experts that are offering products and services for you to improve your home, to improve your outdoor living, make updates on your backyard, on your yard, you name it," Concilla said.

Spectators also have a chance to win a patio with a fire pit.

The winning package includes:

  • Two pallets of Treo Premier Smooth (color: fossil)

  • Two pallets of Brussels Dimensional (color: limestone)

  • One Square Sunset Firepit – Color: Limestone (steel liner included)

  • Accent Band of Holland Premier (color: dark charcoal)

  • Coping for pillars and wall

  • Gator Base made by Alliance

  • Free delivery within 25 mile radius of Afton Landscape Supply

Financial advisory available at expo

Along with big plans could come big finances and some worries.

"If you are looking for financing, Erie Federal Credit Union is here," Concilla said. "You can talk to them about financing your projects."

Erie Federal Credit Union mortgage lending specialists will be on hand all weekend at the show to answer any questions visitors may have and direct them to which loan best suits their needs.

"Erie FCU also has a relationship with many of the merchants attending the show to assist their customers in securing financing for their big or small home projects," Tom Brennan, CMO at Erie Federal Credit Union said. "To welcome in spring, Erie FCU is offering a home equity loan 'Spring Offer' ... where members can take advantage to get things done and save money."

Learning opportunities

The Home and Garden Show will also include learning opportunities from seminars to professionals offering home advice.

National Fuel Gas is a main sponsor and will be on hand to offer advice on being efficient with gas at home.

UPMC is sponsoring a children's garden at the Home and Garden Expo set up by Penn State Master Gardeners.

The garden will be a walk-through experience for kids to learn about the environment and other topics found in their backyard.

"It’s a really neat display," Concilla said. "Along with that the master gardeners (will be there); we have a very long list of seminars to help you learn about planting, pollinators and many different topics."

You can find the schedule for these seminars on Erie Promotion's website.

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If you go to the Home and Garden Expo

The show will take place Friday from noon until 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Adult admission is $7 and kids ages 10 and under are free. There is also a discount for first responders and active and retired military personnel.

You can learn more about this show by visiting Erie Promotion's website at eriepromotions.com or their Home and Garden Expo Facebook page at facebook.com/ErieHomeGardenExpo.

Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Home & Garden Expo set March 22-24 at Bayfront Convention Center