Airdrie residents who are looking to spend time working on their homes and yards this spring can find inspiration at the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce’s Airdrie Home and Lifestyle Show, presented by Chinook Gate.
Held at Genesis Place Recreation Centre from 9 am to 5 pm April 27, and 10 am to 4 pm April 28, the event will feature more than 200 exhibitors along with live entertainment and plenty of fun and games, according to Ashley Sinclair, events co-ordinator with the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce.
“There’s lots of exciting things to do,” she said, noting in addition to the regular entertainment, there are new activities planned to keep attendees busy.
For the first time, according to Sinclair, the event will have a game called Exhibitor Bingo, where 25 exhibitors are slotted on a bingo card and attendees are encouraged to visit each booth to collect a sticker or stamp. Once they’ve completed their bingo cards, participants are entered in a draw to win $500.
Or, Sinclair said, guests can try their hand at earning some “show bucks” at the money tunnel. This money can be spent at any of the exhibitor booths, and participants will also be entered into a draw.
The home and lifestyle show has been a long-running tradition in Airdrie since it began as the Airdrie Farm and Trade Fair in 1978, organized at that time by the Airdrie and District Agricultural Society and held at the Plainsmen Arena. In 1989, Sinclair said, the event was taken over by the Chamber and renamed the Airdrie Home and Lifestyle Show, and was relocated to Genesis Place in 2010.
“The purpose of the event was to showcase local business and promote quality of life in and around the community of Airdrie,” she said. “Now, it’s more about lifestyle and trends with not near as much agricultural – it’s way more diverse.”
The event features a broad range of exhibitors, with businesses selling lifestyle items like jewelry and clothing alongside concrete companies, local nurseries and health and wellness services. While the majority of the exhibitors are from Airdrie, Sinclair said, others come from outside of the community.
“We really try to make the shows fairly well-rounded, a mix of both business and leisure,” she said. “And we also have food trucks on site, in case anyone gets hungry.”
Admission is $5, and children 12 and under can get in free with a paying adult. Each paid admission gives the buyer a raffle ticket, as well, Sinclair said, which means they could win one of many available prizes.
“It’s a really good way to come out and support your community and get to know the latest trends,” she said.
For more information, visit the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce’s website.
