DANVILLE — Becky Homko's reason for starting a home and garden show in Hendricks County was simple - there wasn't such an event here.
"We came up with a home show because we looked around and didn't see one here," said Homko, who with her husband runs Today's Business Services.
The first Hendricks County Home and Garden Show is set for 3 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex, 1900 E. Main St.
Despite this being the inaugural edition, Homko sold out of vendor space. More than 85 businesses - some local and others from around the state and even the country - will be on hand, offering a variety of services. A complete list is available online at HendricksHomeShow.com.
"I even have a waiting list going," Homko said of the vendors. "I thought that I would sell out on vendor space because of the draw a home show has, along with it just being centrally located in Hendricks County as opposed to having to drive to the State Fairgrounds or up to Carmel."
In addition to the businesses, the event includes Lemonade Day, an entrepreneurial program that teaches children how to start and run a lemonade stand. State Bank of Lizton representatives will be on hand to register participants and distribute backpacks for free. The Hendricks County Community Foundation also is collaborating to provide a list of local funds for Lemonade Day participants to use in the philanthropic section of the program.
Tickets to the home and garden show are $10 at the door or $5 in advance at State Bank of Lizton and Indiana Members Credit Union locations. There are also $5 coupons available through the Money Mailer and on the home and garden show website using the promo code "flyer." The Hendricks County Flyer is one of the show's sponsors.
Proceeds from the event will go to Sheltering Wings, an emergency housing facility for women and children affected by domestic violence. Homko says she picked that organization because it's all about providing a safe home.
"Many of our vendors help with that - whether it's roofing or landscaping or security systems," Homko said. "They can all make your home safer in some way. It's just a great charity too. We want to make sure they get the support they need."
A special VIP event will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at the fairgrounds. For $10, guests gain early entry and can network with the vendors before the show opens to the public. Jack Klemeyer of GYB Coaching will facilitate and Cunningham Restaurants and State Bank of Lizton will provide light refreshments. Register online at the show's website.
Homko has been organizing the home and garden show since July.
"It's been a big undertaking," she said. "To put all the pieces in place takes a lot of time and effort."
It's also been a learning experience, something Homko says is always the case when doing something like this.
"That's the beauty of planning events - you can create and re-create until it's a well-oiled machine," said Homko, who already plans to make this an annual event.
Even though Wednesday is the first day of spring, it hasn't felt like winter has ended at all. Homko says that could still be advantageous for the home and garden show.
"It's a little hard to compete with Mother Nature if she gives you 65- or 70-degree weather," she said. "Having dreary weather might give people the incentive to get out of the house and look at the new things going on for spring."
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