The 2017 Rotary Home Show saw record attendance on day one with nearly 1,500 people coming through the doors at the Southampton Coliseum.

Hub Staff

Spring is here and what better way to celebrate than visiting over 70 area vendors to see what they have in store for spring and summer, all at the 37th annual Port Elgin Rotary Home Show April 7 and 8 at the Southampton Coliseum and Annex.

Now in its fifth year in Southampton, the Home Show is free to attend and features vendors who hold a variety of knowledge in lawn-care, electronics, water, insulation, new homes, backyards, paint and much more.

Rotary Home Show Chair Dan Murawsky said the Show has been a wonderful success for the Rotary Club, as locals know of its significance. “It seems to grow every year, it seems to attract attention,” he said.

Murawsky was proud to mention that the Food and Drink Expo that takes place in the Coliseum’s Annex is now in its third year and will showcase 15 food and drink providers including some out of town guests providing something to wet your whistle. MacLean’s Ales from Hanover, Pelee Island Winery, Side Launch Brewing Company from Collingwood and Donald’s Honey from Owen Sound will join in on the feast.

Murawsky said that local food vendors create their choice of food as well as possibly a few samples for the public to munch on. Food is purchased through a token format where one token is the equivalent to $2 and so on. “They can then go to the food or drink vendors to purchase the sample or the side,” said the Chair. “Buy a sample there, a sample here try a drink or a wine. We find that people always come back to the table for more tokens, it works well for the customers and the restaurants, it’s pretty fun,” he added.

Rotarians will also be on hand encouraging attendees to purchase raffle tickets with funds raised going towards two local projects: the Breakfast Club program to benefit Saugeen Shores schools and the Port Elgin Salvation Army Food Bank, as the Rotary Club wants to assist the bank throughout the year to match the year round need. The raffle prize will be a $1,000 gift card which can be used at Rowland’s Independent Grocer or any Loblaws affiliated store.

The Rotary Home Show will take place on Saturday, April 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 8 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information can be found at portelginhomeshow.com. Limited vendor space is still available, if interested contact portelginhomeshow@hotmail.com