4-4-2001
2001 Home & Garden Expo a huge success
By Lary Coppola
The Kitsap Pavilion was packed every day for the 2001 Home & Garden Expo. In addition to a record number of exhibitors, a record amount of money was raised for Holly Ridge Center.
   Despite the stormy weather, the 2001 Home & Garden Expo, which is sponsored by the Homebuilder’s Association of Kitsap County (HBA), kept pace with the record setting 2000 Expo. The event was held at the Kitsap Pavilion and President’s Hall, March 16-18.
   The show featured booths showcasing builders, remodelers, numerous subcontractors and their products and services, lenders, suppliers and much more.
   The show’s corporate sponsors were Parker Lumber, The Sun, Kitsap Community Federal Credit Union and Charter Communications. Home Depot also sponsored a series of seminars and how-to clinics.
   “We’d like to thank all the corporate sponsors,” said HBA executive vice president Art Castle. “Without their generous participation, this event couldn’t happen.”
   The Saturday attendance of 11,500 matched the number of attendees on Saturday in 2000 according to Castle. Although it will take about a month to finalize net revenues because all the bills aren’t in, once they are, it will be able to be determined if the show exceed last years success.
   Castle said it’s his gut feeling the show will eclipse the 2000 event based on the number of exhibitors, their feedback, and the traffic he witnessed. “This year’s show had 10 percent more exhibitors than ever before,” he said, noting that 50 exhibitors spilled over into the Presidents Hall from the main building. That was in addition to the Pioneer Living Exhibits set up outside and the Holly Ridge Surplus Building Materials Sale.
   The Holly Ridge sale is a pet project of the HBA. Builders haul their left over materials from jobs they’ve done down to the show, where they’re sold at discounted prices. The money raised is all donated to Holly Ridge Center whose volunteers and staffers man the sale. This year, Holly Ridge doubled its revenues from the sale over last year, bringing in a whopping $11,900.
   “It’s exciting to see this high quality event in Kitsap County,” said 2001 HBA President Mike Brown of FPH Construction. “Our Expo provides local firms the opportunity to show our community what’s new and what products and services are available. Kitsap County has the best value in the region for new homes and remodeling value.” he added.
   The HBA Home & Garden Expo is the largest annual home show event west of Seattle.