Inspiration for your next home improvement

An idea to make improvements to your home or outdoor living space often needs inspiration before a plan of attack is developed. The Home & Outdoor Living Expo presented by the Home Builders Association of Midland County may be just the place to get that inspiration. For the second year in a row, the expo is being held at Dow Diamond in Midland, Saturday & Sunday, April 29 & 30. 
Katie Abbate is the executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Midland County
Katie Abbate is the HBA’s executive officer, ““The Home & Outdoor Living Expo is all about making your dream projects a reality. Along with an accommodating venue, concession and kids activities, this is a great family outing to help start the spring season off right .” 

Over 80 booths will be on display, Abbate says that number “keeps growing every day.” On the main levels, visitors will see booths presented by residential builders, remodelers, plumbers, kitchen designers, and bankers. On the top level, nonprofits and small local vendors will also have booths.  “People really like the venue,” says Abbate.

General admission is $5. The expo is free for veterans and children under the age of 17. There will be a drawing for a grand prize of a suite for 20 persons at a Great Lakes Loons game and a $500 voucher for food.  Parking on site is free for the expo. The concession stands will be open. The hours are from 9am-6pm on Saturday, and 11am-4pm on Sunday.

Top level of Dow Diamond will feature booths from non-profits and local vendors.
The Dow Credit Union and Horizon Bank are the event sponsors. The Family Fun Day on Sunday is scheduled from Noon-3pm. Kids can have lunch with Lou E. Loon and do a meet and greet with Sami Spirit and Billy the Builder Bear. Jewels the Clown will also be on hand. There will be face painting and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities.  Family Fun Day is sponsored by Laurence Smith Windows & Doors.

Abbate is completing her first year with the HBA. She says, “Since 1961, the HBA has served as the leading not-for-profit trade organization dedicated to residential construction & remodeling in Midland County. The HBA of Midland works to protect every family’s right to home ownership.” The HBA has over 180 members including builders, remodelers, designers, plumbers, electricians, auto dealers, and chiropractors.

 
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Read more articles by Ron Beacom.

Ron Beacom has served as the managing editor of Catalyst Midland since October 2020. He's also a freelance writer for the Midland Daily News and the producer/host of "Second Act: Life at 50 Plus" for WDCQ-Delta College Public Media (PBS). He's the co-producer of two WDCQ documentaries about the Tittabawassee River Disaster in 2020, "Breached! and Breached!2-The Recovery."