Thursday, November 18, 2010

Cleveland's Great Big Home & Garden Expo Adds Cooking Stage

The 2011 Great Big Home & Garden Expo Presented By Time Warner Cable will bring more exhibitors, celebrities and special events to Northeast Ohio when it is held at Cleveland’s I-X Center Feb. 5-13. New features, appearances by home and garden celebrities, and returning favorites from the 2010 show are among the highlights that are sure to excite and surprise anyone who attends.

“Attendees at the 2010 Great Big Home & Garden Expo were completely blown away by our unique attractions, including the theatrically-lit Garden Showcase and the custom-built homes featuring over-the-top big ideas!” said Show Manager Sue Huff. “The show is a must see for any homeowner who wants to check out the latest trends or just be inspired.”

This year’s expanded show floor will offer more choices for visitors shopping for home improvement contractors, lawn and garden equipment, home décor, products and services. Exciting new features at the show, produced by Solon-based Marketplace Events, will offer plenty of ideas and inspiration to transform any home or garden including:

The Celebrity Designer Rooms attraction will include ten custom-designed rooms, each created by the partnership of a local celebrity and interior design business. New for the 2011 show, attendees can explore rooms designed by local TV news personalities Romona Robinson from WKYC Channel 3, Wayne Dawson from WJW Fox 8 and Lee Jordan from WEWS Channel 5. The Plain Dealer Home and Gardening Editor Susan Condon Love, The Loretta Paganini School of Cooking’s Stefanie Paganini, local radio personalities Bob Frantz from WTAM, Jen Toohey from WQAL, Jim Brickman and Nancy Alden from WDOK and Jimmy Malone from WMJI will also design rooms.

Another major new attraction in 2011 will be the Loretta Paganini Cooking Stage where attendees can taste and enjoy culinary delights. Cook-offs, cooking contests and local celebrity chef appearances are also planned.

The Garden Showcase will feature movie-themed gardens created by some of Northeast Ohio’s top landscapers. Located in the South Hall of the I-X Center, the 20 gardens will represent big screen favorites such as “The Secret Garden,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Father of the Bride.” Visitors can also relax and enjoy a glass of wine and light snack among the beauty of the gardens in Club Cambria.

The Garden Showcase will also include a 700-square-foot vegetable garden designed by Northeast Ohio’s Meyer Hatchery. Chickens from the hatchery will be part of the attraction and attendees will learn about raising their own chickens for fresh eggs every day. The garden’s vegetables will be supplied by Avon’s Willoway Nurseries.

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