Home show concludes run at Pelham Arena
Much like anyone who attended this weekend’s Pelham Home and Garden Show because they have plans to renovate their property, organizers of the 23rd annual event are moving out with the old and in with the new after this year’s three-day occasion wrapped up.
Hosted by Fonthill and District Kinsmen, the show featured a wide variety of vendors and exhibitors. More than 1,100 people attended Friday to Sunday — a number the service club is satisfied with considering many Niagara residents opened their windows for the first time this weekend or put their heavy jackets away for the season while enjoying the outdoors.
“It’s the first nice weekend of the year after a really bad winter so a lot of people are out in their yards, but it’s been a great turnout,” said Kinsmen spokesman Ryan McKay.
Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Pelham Cares, and the service club also raises about 70 per cent of its annual budget to support numerous groups and causes in the area.
“All the money we bring in goes right back to the community,” McKay said.
With a $36-million arena and community centre expected to
open later this year, this will likely be the final run for the home show at Pelham Arena.
McKay said it is “bittersweet” to know that the Haist Street home of the show for more than two decades will change.
however, he said the new centre will provide many benefits, including more space for vendors and a closer proximity to more populated parts of Niagara.
“We’ve outgrown each other in a way, but we’re anxiously awaiting the new arena,” said McKay of the new facility at Highway 20 and Rice Road.
“It’s going to be a great new facility for us.”
Patty Palermo was at the show for the first time as a vendor with her soy product business Pure Escents, which specializes in melts, candles and soaps.
“It’s been a great way to get our name out there,” said Palermo, who owns and operates the Welland-based venture with her husband, Sean Ashenden.
Chris Whiteford from Yarnell Overhead Door Ltd. in Fonthill said the annual show is a great opportunity for local companies, especially with it being held in their own backyard.
“Honestly, it’s the only show we do,” he said.
Ron and Gloria Stewart were browsing the many booths on Sunday and said they stopped in to get advice on products and design concepts for renovations planned at home.
“We just wanted to see what’s new out there and get some ideas,” she said.