Whether you want to learn about vegetable gardening or composting, or you are in search of answers about how to maintain the wood around your home, or you are looking to make updates to your house or landscaping and are inspired to learn about all the products and services available in the area, you won’t want to miss the 2016 Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) Spring Home and Garden Show.

Presented by Standard TV and Appliance, the show will be held at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center on Friday and Saturday, May 6 and 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, May 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More than 220 vendors will present their products and services to an anticipated 10,000 event-goers. Local contractors will be available to answer questions and present examples of their craftsmanship, while a diverse selection of specialty companies will illustrate the benefits of their home and garden products. From solar energy and heating/cooling devices to hot tubs and home decor, and from landscaping to financial planning, this event brings together an expansive lineup of local experts who are all excited to share their knowledge and advice while also showcasing what they have to offer.

“The 2016 Show is the largest vendor turnout we have had over the past five years,” said Nicole Meagher, COBA Event Coordinator. “We are excited to see new, local business popping up throughout Central Oregon and to have the continued support of our loyal vendors over the past years. We even opened up the upper arena above the Bank of the Cascades event center—first time in seven years!”

In addition to the showcases of products and services, the Spring Home and Garden Show will also offer more than 30 educational courses and DIY classes on home and garden improvement topics as well as other interesting subjects.

The Master Gardeners will be presenting a range of seminars and hands-on workshops from how to grow strawberries to how to make your plants look like the pictures you find in gardening magazines. You can learn how to build a wooden door mat, or explore ideas for incorporating essential oils into your home and life.

“We’ve got some amazing vendors sharing their talent and knowledge with us,” Meagher said. “This year we have such a variety of classes — we really do have something for everyone! I, personally, am really looking forward to some of the classes on our list and wish I could attend them all! We hope our attendees will take advantage of this great bonus at the Home & Garden show.”

You won’t want to miss the chef-lead cooking classes scheduled at various times throughout the show, and back again this year after a great response to its addition last year, is the Taps & Tastes beer garden featuring eight favorite Oregon breweries. The beer garden will be serving up some favorite craft brews on Friday from 12 – 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Photo ID is required to taste, and once you’ve selected your favorite you can buy a pint to enjoy.

“This year we have a new feature called Wine Walk,” Meagher said. “Local, Oregon-based wineries will be offering samples and bottles for purchase in a corner of the Main Event Center.”

New to the show this year is a wine & paint event, hosted in the Taps & Tastes tent each day at 2:30 p.m. Participants will follow local artist, Nicole Oelkers, in creating an easy step-by-step painting. Wine will be available for purchase, and $10 covers all the materials for the painting.

Because the Home and Garden Show spans Mother’s Day this year, a few special events have been planned for Sunday. The Great Northern Window & Door booth will have a professional photographer available to capture pictures of moms with their children throughout the day. Additionally, the Master Gardeners will host a special workshop at 11 a.m. to teach participants how to make a special flower bouquet, which they can then take home to their mothers.

The Spring Home and Garden Show is an event that COBA organizes each year as a service to the local builders, helping them to market their products and services while also connecting them with potential clients. It also offers great benefits to the local communities. The event is open to the public and free to attend, thanks to the generous sponsors including: Great Northern Window and Door, American Family Insurance, Remax, and The Bulletin.

More information can be found at www.connectiondepot.com or by calling 541-389-1058.