The 2011 edition of the Ridge Meadows Home Show is around the corner, and this year’s event promises to be the biggest ever, with close to 400 vendors participating, including 200 new exhibitors.
Organizer Cass Winder expects more than 20,000 visitors to the event, which runs April 29 to May 1, and is one of the biggest shows of its kind in western Canada.
New for 2011 will be a mini RV show, featuring all sorts of outdoor recreation vehicles, including motorbikes, ATVs, fishing boats, and RVs.
“Everything you’ll need for summer will be here,” said Winder. “All the toys, and everything to haul those toys.”
There will also be golfing, camping and fishing displays by local outdoor tourism companies.
“We have such an abundance of outdoor opportunities here. There’s rivers, streams, parks, horse trails, and mountains to explore,” said Winder.
“We wanted this year’s show to reflect that.”
Like every year, there will still be dozens of building and renovation experts on hand to share their know-how and experience, providing advice on how to turn your house into a home.
In addition to vendors, the Ridge Meadows Home Show features the FunZone Family Festival, Body, Mind and Spirit Psychic Fair, Westcoast Amusements, and the food fair, all of which are free to attend.
Headlining the FunZone this year will be Dancing Bear Story Theatre. The petting zoo also returns, and there will be plenty of carnival rides and food vendors.
The Haney and Meadowridge Rotary clubs are sponsoring a sports fitness program for kids. Developed by PacificSport, B.C.’s Olympic training centre, the SportFit program allows kids to measure their abilities and overall fitness by taking part in a number of exercises and challenges. Parents can then plug the result into their computer at home, and get suggestions about what sports or activities might be best suited to their child’s abilities.
Kids will also enjoy Yuen’s Martial Arts ninja obstacle course, the Quantum Gymnastics play area, as well as the Aché Brasil capoeria demonstration.
The Home Show food fair features all the classic fair food, as well gourmet coffee, wood-fired pizzas, and award-winning barbecue.
The event is put on by the Ridge Meadows Home Show Society, a non-profit organization. Admission is $3, or $6 for the whole family, and parking is free, with a complimentary shuttle to the show.
• For more information, visit www.ridgemeadowshomeshow.com.
Schedule:
Ridge Meadows Home Show at Planet Ice:
• Friday, April 29 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. ;
• Saturday, April 30: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.;
• Sunday, May 1: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $3; families $6 .
FunZone Family Festival:
•Friday, April 29 :4 p.m. to 8 p.m.;
• Saturday, April 30 :10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ;
• Sunday, May 1:10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free admission
Body, Mind and Spirit Psychic Fair:
• Friday, April 29: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.;
•Saturday, April 30: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.;
• Sunday, May 1: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free admission.
Food fair:
• Friday, April 29: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.;
• Saturday, April 30: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.;
• Sunday, May 1: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free admission
Westcoast Amusements:
• Friday, April 29: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. or later
• Saturday, April 30: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. or later
• Sunday, May 1: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free admission.