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Spring into home, garden show

By Kelly Townsend
The Times-Journal

Published March 15, 2008

Twenty-five years ago, Diane Hale became involved in the Northeast Alabama Home and Garden Show.

Over the years, Hale said she has seen the quality of the show improve in so many ways.

“I guess one of the biggest things would be that when we first started we were not where we could actually allow our vendors to sell items at the show,” Hale said.

But over the years, that rule has changed, and Hale said now vendors can sell items, making it more convenient for them and their customers.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for vendors to come together in a central location instead of having to drive all over North Alabama, especially with gas prices the way they are,” Hale said. “I guess you could actually call it a one-stop stop.”

Not only that, but Hale said the customer also has the opportunity to look through things, such as carpet, garage doors and many other items.

“And this show is also a wonderful opportunity to help out the community,” Hale said.

She said all of the people helping at the show are volunteers who have dedicated many hours to see the show come together.

There have been many changes over the years, according to Hale, but she said one of the main things has been the quality of the exhibits.

“We try to design the booth spaces to be spaces the same size. But with the help of the Internet and ways we could improve the booths, I have seen the exhibits improve almost 200 percent,” Hale said.

This year, Hale said more than 20 new vendors from Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia have been added.

“The way that we usually send out invitations to invite past vendors to come back,” Hale said.

But the group also accepts applications and encourage anyone interested in exhibiting for next year to call for more information.

“This way we will know to send out an invitation to them,” Hale said.

Sometimes the show does have to turn away applicants because of the limited space in the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum in Rainsville, Hale said.

Lee Buffington, founder and president of Turf Tamer, Inc. in Fort Payne, said this is his company’s second year to be involved in the show.

“We have a great display for this year,” Buffington said. “We are installing a full outdoor kitchen, fire pit and patio. Our theme this year is hardscapes.

Buffington said they would have a slide show of many of our properties playing and have some items to give away. “Our crews are constructing the outdoor living space now and it will be a great event this year.”

The show is today from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call 638-3575.

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