The Simcoe Spring Home & Cottage Show is returning to the Barnfield Point Recreation Centre in Orillia this weekend.
When Glenn Wagner founded the event in 1994, he was "cautiously optimistic" it would become an annual staple in the community.
"I remember going to the first possible exhibitor. I walked in and said, 'I've got this idea for a home show. There isn't really one that is great in the area and I think it would be good for the community,'" he said.
Each year, the event allows visitors to talk with representatives of about 55 companies.
"Talking with the owner and professionals from the different businesses can be really important," Wagner said. "It brings people out to talk to each other and see what new products and services are out there that they might not be aware of."
He says the event gives new community members resources for landscaping, lawn care, doors and windows, siding, paving, painting, pet care, and personal care products.
"They might not know who to contact about certain things," he said. "It gives them a chance to see a whole whack of products and services in one place and under one roof."
This year, there is no shortage of "interesting" businesses that will be at the event, he says.
"We have one new business in town that does hydrotherapy for pets, which is kind of neat," he said. "We have a new guy who does custom furniture, which is really interesting, and Super E-Bikes is back, which is kind of up and coming as well."
The goal of the event is to "build relationships" and allow customers to see the people behind the businesses and services they are using, Wagner says.
"Whether it's business to business, or with customers and clients, that's really important in our community," he said.
He expects more than 2,000 people to attend the event this weekend. Admission costs $3 for adults. Children 12 and younger get in for free.
Everyone who pays to attend the event will be given a ballot for a chance to win door prizes. This year's grand prizes are a king-sized mattress from Leon's and a flat-screen TV donated by the Simcoe Spring Home & Cottage Show.
The event runs on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
