Southern Ideal Home Show returns to NC State Fairgrounds April 9-11
Posted: 03-11-2010 : RALEIGH, N.C.

RALEIGH – The Southern Ideal Home show returns to the NC State Fairgrounds April 9-11, with more exhibitors, experts and consumer-value than any event in its 15-year history of serving the Triangle.

“We’re calling this spring’s version ‘The Big One,’ because we’re packing more than 350 exhibitors into three buildings totaling 160,000 square-feet over three days,” said Debbie Ball, Southern Shows’ director of home and garden events. “Unlimited, free parking and easy access off of I-40 also makes this show convenient to attend,” she said.

Bringing in “more” means there’s a lot to see, learn and be inspired by at the 2010 spring show. One addition is the Living Green Pavilion in the Jim Graham Building, where exhibitors, experts and educators will gather in one location to share information, products and services related to the latest in energy efficiency; eco-living options; recycling; and environmentally sound approaches to construction, landscaping and home-keeping.

Also in the Graham building will be an entire aisle devoted to “Ask the Experts,” sponsored by Triangle Home Improvement Magazine, featuring knowledgeable service and product experts conveniently located in one place to answer questions covering a wide range of topics related to construction, renovation, innovation and trouble-shooting.

The Outdoor Living Marketplace in Dorton Arena, sponsored by WPTF 680 Radio, will offer two feature gardens surrounded by smaller gardens, landscape presentations on the garden stage from nationally known and local experts and a host of exhibits featuring sod and tree information to outdoor lighting. A charity plant sale sponsored by Goodfella’s Landscaping will be held to benefit cystic fibrosis research.

The 2010 spring show also will feature:

-- The Kitchen and Bath Pavilion, which presents both traditional approaches and new trends to fit every budget for cabinetry, fixtures, tile and countertops.
-- The Interiors Showplace, for those seeking creative ideas in décor, including furniture, accessories, floor coverings and window treatments appropriate for any room, taste or price-point. This area also hosts the ever-popular Designer Attic Sale, where guests can find both decorating deals and advice.
-- The Building and Home Improvement area, which gathers hundreds of companies and service providers in one convenient location to exhibit the latest resources available for home construction, renovation or upgrades. Habitat Wake’s ReStore is a popular stop-off in this location. The shows’ industry sponsor is the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County, and the media sponsor is The News & Observer.

Getting there:
When and where: April 9-11; Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh.

Admission: Adults $9 at the door; children (under 15) free with paying adult; Friday: $8 for seniors (55+, no coupons); Friday and Saturday: Costco Nights ($5 after 5 p.m. with Costco card); Sunday: Verizon customers get $5 off entry with phone; $1-off coupons available online at www.SouthernIdealHomeShow.com; unlimited free parking. The first 100 guests to visit the charity plant sale in Dorton Arena each day will receive a free evergreen seedling from the NC Department of Forestry.

About Southern Shows:
Southern Shows Inc. has produced high-quality consumer shows for more than 50 years. Family-owned and operated, Charlotte-based Southern Shows currently produces 18 separate events with a combined audited attendance of more than 600,000. Raleigh shows are all held at the NC State Fairgrounds and include fall and spring editions of the Southern Ideal Home Show in September and April; the Southern Women’s Show in April; and the Southern Farm Show in February. For more information about attending or exhibiting at Southern Shows Inc. events in Raleigh and other markets, visit www.SouthernShows.com or call 800-849-0248.

News media contacts: Debbie Ball, Director, Home & Garden Shows, dball@southernshows.com, 800.849.0248 ext.134

Noel McLaughlin, Noel McLaughlin Public Relations LLC, noel@noelpr.com, 870.1736