Springtime In The Woodlands

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Spring Home & Garden Show to sprout up in The Woodlands this weekend

By BURTON SPEAKMAN , Villager staff

More than 200 venders are expected to showcase their products at the 2004 Spring Home and Garden Show in The Woodlands.

The show is slated for Feb. 19 and 20 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center.

Tony Wood, president of Texwood Shows, the company that produces the show, said the event provides an opportunity for homeowners to question companies and see samples of their product.

"A home is a person's biggest investment and it's where people spend a lot of their time," he said. "As homeowners, people always want to do something to their house."

Wood said at least one to two vendors from every category of home improvement are invited to participate so there is something for everyone at the event. "They (vendors) can help people with their decisions or give them ideas," he said.

A lot of times if someone wants to tackle a project at his or her home it can be difficult confer with, or find, a knowledgeable person in the field.

"Our show puts a face with the products," Wood said. "Most of the people who come already have some idea of what they want to do."

Some of the featured items at this year's show include a French-country kitchen, Kohler bath suites, water gardens, a garden market, the "wall of ideas" and natural-stone countertops.

Attendance at the home and garden show increased more than 20 percent last year compared to the first of the event, Wood said. He expects a similar phenomenon this year.

People enjoy the show because it is in a relaxed environment, Wood said, and because of its convenient location in The Woodlands.

"People can come across from shopping at the mall or go do things on The Waterway after or have a nice dinner," he said. "It has a lot of attractive features."

The show is not too large, so visitors will be able to quickly browse within a few hours if they so desire.

"They can just get in and do their thing," Wood said.

Tickets for the show are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors. Children under 12 are admitted at no charge. In addition, free admission is granted to those who bring new custom-home or remodeling-project blueprints.

Free parking for the event is available at the garage on Six Pines, just south of Lake Robbins Drive.

Representatives from the Community Associations of The Woodlands will be at the event to answer remodeling questions as well as offer revised standards and applications for residents planning to alter their property.