COOKEVILLE – It’s the unofficial mark of spring in the Upper Cumberland: the annual Upper Cumberland Home & Garden Show.
And this year’s exhibitors – more than 160 in all spread out inside the confines of the Hyder-Burks Ag Pavilion from March 13-15 – are more than ready. Not only for warmer temps but the bustle of business that typically comes with the start of the season.
“This time of year, March through April, is our busiest of year, and the (home) show definitely helps,” said Heath Waters, owner of Bluewaters Rental, an equipment and party rental company in Cookeville. “The show gives us a huge amount of exposure in a little bit of time, and it helps bring awareness to parts of our business that people may not know about. Everybody coming through our door so far this year seems more optimistic. I think that should mean an equal or better turnout (at the event).”
For over 40 years, the Home Builders Association of the Upper Cumberland has sponsored the show. Attendees not only get to see the latest trends in home building, remodeling, decorating and landscaping, but shop for everything from a pool, furniture, lawn mower, windows, plants, cookware and specialty foods to a complete new home.
Melanie Chadwell with the HBAUC said that 2015 is poised to be a good year for the show – and for construction overall.
“Most builders (for example) are very busy and happy,” she said. “The economy seems to be rebounded enough that people are ready to build new houses and remodel their current ones.”
Here’s a breakdown on what to expect this year:
1) The return of the cooking stage, with local and regional celebrities demonstrating recipes and sharing tips for entertaining and healthy living. Presenters include restaurant chefs, radio and TV personalities and more.
TV personality Tammy Algood will return to present “Don’t Put Up the Slow Cooker Yet,” with ideas for the busy cook. Tia E of the County Giant Night Club on 94.7 will demonstrate the perfect cheesecake technique with “Real Cheesecake – Real Easy.” Chef Barry O’Connor of Gainesboro’s Bull and Thistle will share his award-winning culinary talents with “Taste of Mediterranean” as he prepares a meal to remember using fresh pork, wild seafood, warm Mediterranean salads and fresh dressings. Lisa Luck of Cookeville’s Get Fresh Café will show how easy gluten-free cooking can be with “Eating Gluten-Free is Easier Than You Think!”
Click HERE for a complete schedule of cooking stage events.
2) A remodeling seminar. Sponsored by HomeCORR, “How to Remodel and Save Your Sanity/Relationship In the Process” is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, and will offer an in-depth look at the many steps of remodeling.
3) Events within the event. Many community organizations come together to include events within the Home & Garden Show. The Putnam Friends of the Library will host a “Coffee with An Author” event at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14, with a program by Margie Hunter, author of “Gardening with the Native Plants of Tennessee.” The book provides a glimpse into the state’s natural history and the description, culture and distribution of approximately 450 species of wildflowers, ferns, grasses, vines, shrubs and trees native to Tennessee and suitable for horticulture.
Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) will host a doghouse sale to benefit the hospital’s Pet Therapy Fund. See a full story about that event HERE.
4) The Upper Cumberland Tourism “Stay and Play Travel Expo.” Attendees will get ideas for vacations, weekend or day trips within just a short drive from home. Information on the Upper Cumberland’s cultural, historic and scenic attractions as well as its outdoor recreational opportunities and wide variety of lodging and dining options will be available at the expo as tourism leaders present ideas for vacations, weekend or day trips within just a short drive from home..
“We have so much to see and do in the Upper Cumberland,” Ruth Dyal, executive director of the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association, said. “There is something for every one of every age and every interest. Whether you are planning week, weekend or day tripping, as a couple, a family or a group, there is a memorable experience waiting for you here.
“Tourism is a key contributor to our economy, not only on a state level but also right here in the Upper Cumberland,” Dyal said. “Tourism also means business in our communities since more than jobs and businesses in our region are directly supported by the industry.”
In addition, Tennessee State park rangers will have information on vacation packages and programs. Cumberland State Park rangers will present their bird of prey wildlife exhibit. And representatives of the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association and its member businesses and organizations will be available to answer any questions attendees may have and to assist in planning trip itineraries.
Admission to the Home & Garden Show is $4. Event hours are 4-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and noon–4 p.m. Sunday. For directions and more information, call the Home Builders Association at (931-528-7472) or visit www.uchba.com.
2015 vendors
A Cut Above Custom Roofing
Acme Block & Brick
Advanced Propane, Inc.
Advanced Termite
Advantage Realty
Air Experts
Allstate Insurance – Hunt Family Agency
American Home Design
American Home Builders
Aqua Soles
Aquatic Control, Inc.
B & H Storm Shelter
Barky Beaver Mulch
Barrier Waterproofing Systems
Bath Fitter
Batteries & Bulbs
Bluewaters Rental
Brendan Johnson Landscaping
Budget Blinds
CLM Enterprises
Cherry Creek Nursery
Cookeville Electric Dept
Cookeville Kitchen Sales
Cookeville Plumbing & Electric
Cookeville Tree Board
Country Spirit Cottages
Culligan Water
Cumberland Carpet Cleaning
Cumberland Garage Builders
Custom Fireplaces & More
Cutco Cutlery
DT McCall & Sons
David Benjamin TV, Phone & Internet
Eclipse Real Estate
Edmond’s Paving
ES Construction
Electric Fence Light Co.
Envirocast by VanHooseCo
Evergreen Today
Farm Credit
First Realty/Heart of the City Playground
Fitts Outdoor Cleaning/Awnings Unlimited
Frontier Communications
Frontier Basement Systems
Guiseppe’s 1933
Guaranty Mortgage
Gutter Helmet of Cookeville
H&R Block
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Haller’s Landscaping & Lawncare
Halo Dips
Health Benefit Solutions
Healthy Home Solutions
Herald Citizen
Highland Home Improvement
Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electrical
His Image Restoration
Holdfast Technologies
Holmes Surveillance
Home CORR
Homes & Land Media
Honest Abe Log Homes
Ideal Building Systems
JCL Metals
Jackson Heating & Cooling
Keep Putnam Beautiful Clean Commission
Lagniappe Spice
LeafFilter
LeafGuard
Lifetime Stainless Steel
Little Creek Produce
LoJac Materials
McCloud’s Asphalt
McCulley Siding & Windows
Madaris
Mast Utility Barns
MasterDry
Mid Tenn Nursery
Mitchell Creek Marina/Swan Ridge Resort
Naked Salsa
North Central Security
Nuttin But Good
Organize This-N-That
Overman Sheds
Pain Free Pillows
Pampered Chef
Payne Nursery
Pella Windows & Doors
Plateau Metal Sales
Police Athletic League
Pool & Spa Depot
Quality RRC
Rebecca Hiatt Photography
Renewal by Andersen
Rhett Butler Lawncare
S&W Pool & Spas
Sam’s Club
Seal Smart TN
Shaffield’s Furniture
Smart Fireplace Services
Southeast Advertiser
Southern KY Wood Furnaces
Stamp-Crete
Stonecom
Stovers
Sunbelt Rentals
Sunset Builders
Superior Walls
TCAT Hartsville – Tri-County Extension Campus
Technology Store
Tennessee Credit Union
Tennessee Gardener Magazine
Tennessee Dog Guard
Tennessee Foundation Services
Tennessee Master Restoration
Townecraft
Traeger Pellet Grills
TriGreen Equipment
US Army Corps of Engineers
Upper Cumberland Custom Closets
Upper Cumberland Tourism
Volunteer Heating & Cooling
Walker Cove Custom Woodworks
Walker Creek Confections
White County Lawn & Tractor
Xtreme Pressure Wash
Upper Cumberland Tourism Association exhibitors:
Appalachian Center for Craft
Byrdstown/Pickett County Chamber
Caney Fork Outdoors
Canoe the Caney
Clay County Chamber
Crossville Chamber
Cumberland Caverns
Cumberland Playhouse
Deep Valley Campground
Highland Rim Retreat
Historic Granville
Historic Rugby
ISHA Foundation
Laurel Fork
Overton County Chamber
Main Street McMinnville
Red Boiling Springs
Short Mountain Distillery
Tennessee State Parks
Van Buren/Spencer Chamber
