2024 Stark County Home and Garden Show
By Jill Sell
Talk about an all-encompassing show…The 73rd annual Stark County Home and Garden Show should probably be re-named the Stark County Lifestyles Show. This show has a long tradition of exhibitors and demonstrators who represent new home construction, remodeling and renovation, interior design, landscaping and gardening. (This year eight landscaped displays promise to provide major green thumb inspiration.)
The show also recently partnered with the 720 Market, an exciting indoor bazaar featuring local and small businesses that include artists, bakers, foodies, brewers, jewelers, decorators and growers. More than 50 artisans will join this year’s show. 720 Camp Creative is also part of the festivities and someone could spend all day just watching and listening to these speakers and demonstrators.
But not content to remain the same year after year, The Stark County Home and Garden Show also welcomes for the first time the Health and Wellness Expo on Friday, April 19. This Expo addresses our mental, physical, social and financial well-being. Listen to experts and participate in medical screenings, exercise technique demonstrations, nutritional education, chiropractic care, wellness and preventative advice. Other show amenities include food trucks, live entertainment and door prizes.
The location of this show is a draw all by itself. Held at the Hall of Fame Village in the Center for Performance in Canton, visitors can also check out the expanding number of Village shops and restaurants. The Fan Engagement Zone and Play Action Plaza (think Forward Pass Zip Line and Red Zone Ferris Wheel) are within walking distance of the show.
“We thought we would have a good show attendance last year at the Hall of Fame Village for the first time, but we actually doubled it. I don’t even think the Hall of Fame knew how big our show was going to get last year,” said Stark County Home and Garden Show Chair Javan Yoder, also the vice-president of 2024 Building Industry Association of Stark and East Central Ohio, and Executive Vice President of the 60-year-old, Stark Truss family business. “The show is getting bigger and bigger each year.”
Of course, the danger of attending such a multi-faceted show like this one is that you can get easily (and happily) distracted and maybe forget what you “really” came to do. We understand. So
Pro Football Hall of Fame Village Center for Performance
1901 Champions Gateway, Canton OH 44708
10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, April 19
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 20
Special features: 720 Market; Health and Wellness Expo (Friday); Salute to Earth Day (Saturday)
ADMISSION: $5 adults; free for children 12 and under; free parking Information: 330-494-5700; www.biastarkeco.com
yes, you might want to visit the replacement window guys or the siding business booths before you get lost or totally involved in sampling all the garlic dips or watching the Village’s on-going expansion and construction.
We offer a profile of one exhibitor to help remind you of your “real” mission there, whether that is buying a new
refrigerator, finding a contractor to dig a back yard pond or deciding on who should build your mother-in-law suite.
It’s not unusual for younger consumers to visit Home Appliance Company in Massillon and say, “My grandmother told me I had to buy here.” Home
Appliance Company opened in 1954 and is still a family-owned business.
“We have a strong, local customer base that tends to come back along with new customers,” said John Ramer, the store’s sales manager. “We carry most major brands and our focus is on major appliances, especially for the kitchen and laundry room. Our nine full-time technicians service all the products we sell. And it’s important for us to carry the brands from companies we trust.”
Currently, the store carries Speed Queen, Frigidaire, Electrolux, Maytag, GE Appliances and Whirlpool. Most recently, Home Appliance Company has also added luxury and unusual lines that include GE Monogram Appliances, Sub-Zero/Wolf and GE’s CAFÉ Series.
“Stainless steel is definitely not on the way out. Years ago, you could get white in any model appliance you wanted, and that’s the way it is now with stainless. Now you can’t get every model in white or black. Stainless is the standard today,” said Ramer, who has 20plus years of experience in sales. “But there are some unique trends. CAFÉ by GE has some unique finishes like matte white and matte black.”
Ramer said some consumers may really not like stainless, but buy it anyway because they think that’s how they should upgrade. And today’s stainless is more fingerprint resistant than it was years ago. But CAFÉ is for people who want something a bit different, according to Ramer, and the line is gaining popularity both nationally and locally.
Also, today’s all-in-one, washer/dryer appliances are “pretty amazing,” said Ramer. The ventless unit helps eliminate laundry trips to a basement because of its versatility to be placed in a number of rooms. It is also an excellent space saver for people in smaller apartments.
“I do tell buyers that if they have room for a full-size washer and dryer and all the necessary hookups, you are better off buying those,” advised Ramer. “I haven’t been fully onboard with this type of all-in-one combination in the past, but we are getting good feedback from customers and are selling quite a few.” And what appliances and technology? “The days of connected appliances are only going to become more and more common,” admitted Ramer. “Obviously, not everyone will use all those features. But the beauty of it is that if you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”
At the Stark County Home and Garden Show, Home Appliance Company will show a variety of types and brands of kitchen and laundry appliances. A drawing for an outdoor griddle will also be held for those who register at the store’s booth.