The Great Big Home + Garden Show is a breath of spring air for Northeast Ohio
One of the most highly anticipated winter events in Northeast Ohio has nothing to do with the state of the weather outside (although this season we have really had our ups and downs temperature wise). It is the “The Great Big Home + Garden Show” that runs through February 12, 2017 at the Cleveland I-X Center. The show features over 600 exhibits along with over 1,000 remodeling and redecorating experts as well as a collection of 17 beautifully designed and landscaped showcase gardens. This year’s show truly is bigger and better than ever.
The theme for the show case gardens this year is “Blockbuster Movies” with such films as “The Godfather,” The Wizard of Oz,” Jurassic Park,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Mary Poppins,” ”The Secret Garden” and “The Hobbit.” being represented. Walk up to Bilbo Baggins’ round Hobbit House door. Examine the Corlione family’s luxury patio dining area. Take a walk down the yellow brick road in Munchkin Land. These are just a few of the wonderful experiences in store for you.
It is almost too much to take in during one visit (it is suggested to come early and stay late to get it all in). A stroll through the showcase of inter-linked gardens followed by a tour of the custom built homes and it is time to take in one of the many shows and seminars hosted by a variety of guest speakers including Kortney Wilson from HGTV’s hit show “Masters of Flip” whose appearance is sponsored by Kichler Lighting, Scott McGillivray who is the host of HGTV’s “Income Property” whose appearance is sponsored by Cambria, Kathy Ireland of “Kathy Ireland® Worldwide Brand” whose appearance is sponsored by American Family Insurance and Matt Fox of “”Room by Room” and “Around The House” fame. After grabbing a bite to eat at one of the I-X Bistros you can stroll aisle upon aisle of over 1,000 exhibitors offering services too numerous to mention.
Many visitors are drawn to the fully constructed dream homes including The Blossom Home located in the showcase garden area, the Xtend Technology Ultimate Smart Home (be sure to take time to experience the built in Home Theater Room complete with a 13 channel THX and Dolby Atmos state-of-the-art sound system that is guaranteed to move, you coupled with a 110-inch 4K ultra high definition screen) and lastly the Luxury Lake Living Area with its two custom built cabins and boat dock. These dream abodes allow you to get fresh ideas for your existing homes or ones in the planning stages.
Whether the weather is up down sunny or grey, inside the Cleveland I-X Center it is springtime with flowers, waterfalls, lovely plants and trees to walk among and dream of the coming spring.
One more featured event during the show is The Petitti Gardening Stage where they host daily seminars that cover such categories as landscape and flora design along with furnishings for outdoor rooms all taught by top Northeast Ohio landscape experts. The Petitti Floral Mart will also feature various collections of outdoor furniture sets and plants that will be available for purchase. Sunday, February 12th will be “Kids Gardening Day” from 12 noon to 4 p.m. where youngsters can complete fun and simple garden projects.
Sponsors for the Eighth Annual Great Big Home + Garden Show include American Family Insurance, Belgard Hardscapes, Cambria, Crocker Park, Discount Drug Mart, DIRECTV, Dollar Bank, GMC, Imagen Photography, Leafguard by Beldon, Home Solutions, Nature Stone, Ohio State Waterproofing, Petitti Garden Centers, Playground World, The Loretta Paganini School of Cooking, Sherwin-Williams, Sleep Number, Universal Windows Direct, Westminster Technologies and Your Generator Connection.
Dates and hours for the Expo are:
Tuesday - Friday, Feb. 7 – 10: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 11: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 12: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
This year’s Expo will be held at the Cleveland I-X Center located at One I-X Center Drive in Cleveland, Ohio (located next to Cleveland Hopkins Airport off Route 237 Berea Freeway).
Adult tickets for the event are $15 day of show, $12 when purchased at any discount Drub Mart or online at www.greatbighomeandgarden.com, $11 for Seniors 65+ with ID (these tickets are for Monday through Thursday only and may be purchased at the show box office ), $10 for group tickets for parties of 20 or more, $5 for children age 6 to 12 years and free to children 5 and under.