Strong economy, warm spring has vendors excited for Home, Garden and Rec Show

With a strong economy and a warm spring approaching, local outdoor equipment store owner Steve Dorman counts himself among roughly 200 vendors excited about the 25th annual Home, Garden & Recreation Show at the Yubasutter Fairgrounds on March 23-25.

Dorman, who owns Powered Outdoor Equipment in Yuba City, said he has participated in the annual event on and off for the last five years and is excited to generate interest this year, considering how well the economy is doing.

“It is a very good opportunity to get noticed,” Dorman said. “I think the economy is on the upturn for sure and I think it is critical for businesses to get in this show when that upturn happens. This (show) can really keep you busy going into the spring and generate some really good sales.”

According to how many vendors have signed up for this year’s event, Dorman’s line of thinking is shared by a variety of businesses.

Andrew Coolidge, show producer for the annual three-day event, said there have been roughly 220 vendors signed up, which matches prerecession levels back in 2006.

“Finally, this is the year we caught up,” Coolidge said. “The economy is rolling as good as it was before the recession. People are apt now to spend money on more luxury items. Factoring the recession, no one was doing those sorts of things.”

What Coolidge referred to as

TODAY EVENTS

DVD lecture series “Victorian Britain” at 2 p.m. at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church’s community room, 1390 Franklin Road, Yuba City. Film is presented through the Yuba Sutter Arts Council. Additional topics include Scotland, Wales; China and opium war. The cost of admission is free.

POLITICAL EVENTS

What: 25th annual Home, Garden & Recreation Show.

When: March 23-25. Friday from noon-6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Yuba-sutter Fairgrounds, 442 Franklin Ave., Yuba City.

Cost: $7 for adults/seniors. Seniors pay $1 for admittance on Friday. Children under 16 admitted free with paying adult. Parking is free.

For additional information, www.ychomeshow.com. visit

“beautification projects,” vendors offering luxury items like barbecue islands, pools, jacuzzis and even backyard waterfalls are making a strong showing this year. Between 2007 and 2010, vendor registration dropped by as much as 40 percent, with each subsequent year improving slightly, he said.

In addition to home remodeling businesses, Coolidge said they have attracted a number of companies that sell motorcycles and ATVS. The appearance of more recreational-based businesses, Coolidge said, further supports the air of confidence people have in the current economy.

Though luxury items will be on full display, Coolidge said a variety of products exist for those with $25,000 to spend on a home improvement project, as well as those with $3,000 to spend.

In addition to home improvement items, a range of different food vendors and small craft businesses will be set up at the event.

Among those businesses seeking to attract customers with a broad range of spending cash are solar installation companies, which will continue its strong presence at the show.

Jenny Zimmerman, marketing director at Sunpower by Alternative Energy Systems, which operates an office out of Yuba City, said people in the industry jokingly use the term “home and solar shows,” given the prevalence of multiple solar companies.

Zimmerman said solar’s appeal in saving home owner’s money, coupled with rebates offered by the state in the past, led to increased demand during the recession. Though the state rebates have all but expired, Zimmerman said demand is still high because of existing federal incentives and the low-cost of solar.

“We love events like this,” Zimmerman said. “These shows help us say ‘hello’ and help us connect with customers.”

Coolidge said with weather expected to be a favorable the weekend of the event, it should give businesses a reasonable expectation as to how busy they will be this summer.

“A lot of these businesses use the show to provide lead generations for the entire year,” Coolidge said. “There are some businesses who garnish 100-plus leads at the show, which keeps them busy all year. We know the show is important to the local economy and connect home owners to local businesses that do high-quality work.”

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