The arrival of spring means the return of one of Windsor-Essex's biggest trade shows after a pandemic-caused hiatus.
The Windsor Home and Garden Show will take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Central Park Athletics in Windsor, with roughly 200 exhibitors on hand, covering all aspects of home improvement and garden care.
Show president Stuart Galloway told WindsorNewsToday.ca that after the event was curbed the last two years by COVID-19, the show is returning with a vengeance.
"We tried in the last couple of years to open, and then we had to close with various lockdowns, but this is real. It's happening this weekend, and we couldn't be any happier, it's just nice to be back in business," said Galloway.
While the construction business itself has held its own during the pandemic, and contractors have been doing their best to adapt and maintain, Galloway said the show's exhibitors, which are overwhelmingly local, are excited at the chance to revive the interaction they had previously enjoyed with the building and planting public.
"I'd say 95 per cent of the exhibitors are local," said Galloway. "Local contractors, local retailers, local businesses, and I think we need to support our local community and just get away a little bit from that online buying."
Galloway added that this weekend's show is an excellent opportunity for people wanting work done to meet with and compare exhibitors, and get those bookings in early.
The Windsor Home and Garden Show runs from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 a person, cash only at the door, with kids under 16 free. Visitors will receive discount coupons for Clip 'n Climb Windsor and have a chance to sign up for discounted admission at the show's official website.
---with files from Adelle Loiselle