If you’ve found it difficult to book contractors during the pandemic-driven home renovation boom, organizers of the Stratford Home and Leisure Show have some good news.
If you’ve found it difficult to book contractors during the pandemic-driven home renovation boom, organizers of the Stratford Home and Leisure Show have some good news.
Dozens of indoor and outdoor home décor experts will be available when the popular annual event makes its return to the Stratford Rotary Complex next month.
“So many people are doing renovations and thinking about their exteriors and their backyards and their decks,” said Melissa Schenk, an executive officer with the Stratford and Area Builders Association. “Is it time to update your windows? Doors? siding? If there’s something that you really want, come and have that conversation. It’s an opportunity to be able to (speak) face to face with someone.”
Organizers from the builder’s association and Rotary Club of Stratford are bringing back the show for the first time since 2019, and a lot has happened on the home renovation scene over the past two years. Not only are contractors in high demand, global supply chain issues continue to make it difficult to find affordable materials.
That issue hasn’t just affected homeowners – it’s also making this year’s event more challenging to put together.
“Some exhibitors have chosen not to go in the show again this (year) because of supply chain issues,” said Charlene Gordon, co-chair of the event’s organizing committee. “They don’t want to be promising people or taking orders for things they’re having difficulty obtaining.”
After two years away, though, organizers are excited to have the event up and running again, especially as public-health restrictions in Ontario continue to ease. Visitors will be encouraged to mask up and hand sanitizer will still be available, Gordon said.
“We’re taking baby steps,” she said. “It won’t be as big this year as people have seen in the past, but … we’re still aiming for high quality displays, interactive activities and a variety of exhibitors that I believe will still (provide) a quality experience for people visiting.”
About 65 exhibitors have already agreed to take part, Gordon added. Some of the event’s mainstays are also returning, including hands-on activities from both area school boards and a trade demonstration from Technical Training Group.
“Parents can bring their kids and … they’ll be able to take home an actual project with them, which will be nice,” Schenk said.
The event is also a key fundraiser for community projects supported by its organizers. The builder’s association helps support technical training opportunities and the Rotary Club is responsible for funding a local respite house and hospice.
Fundraising over the past two years has been “difficult in capital letters,” Gordon said.
“I think we’re all just so tired of the pandemic,” she said. “We’re expecting a couple thousand enthusiastic people from the community to come and visit us at the show because we think they’re ready to get out and see things and meet people and interact in person again.”
IF YOU GO
What: Stratford Home and Leisure Show
When: April 9-10
Where: Stratford Rotary Complex
Admission: $6. Free for children 12 and under.