Kansas City Home Show celebrates 67th anniversary

Presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (KCHBA), the annual Greater Kansas City Home Show, which takes place March 20-22 at Bartle Hall, is one of the region’s most anticipated spring events.

A Kansas City tradition for 67 years, the Home Show presents new opportunities and choices for homeowners to get a jump on spring home and garden projects.

Attendees will find nearly 250 exhibitors, including builders, remodelers, landscapers, interior designers and contractors, offering a bevy of cutting-edge decorating, design and building trends and construction materials for home and garden inspiration.

Headlining this year will be Chip and Joanna Gaines, stars of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper,” sharing design tips for creating inspiring spaces. Chip’s builder/remodeler background, matched with Joanna’s flair to add just the right touch, has evolved into Magnolia Homes, their Central Texas home construction business, and rocketed them to instant success on HGTV.

Other popular presenters this year include Jennifer Bertrand, owner of Kansas City’s Bertrand Designs, who designed “18,000 square feet of happiness” in Kansas City’s latest Ronald McDonald House; Kristin Rieke of rak’ designs, specializing in Kansas City and Rocky Mountain design and lifestyle; Kansas City’s own Chrysy and Jeff Huff of Restoration Emporium; Jennifer Allwood, a professional faux finisher and owner of The Magic Brush Inc.; Theresa Maybrier, an interior designer at Ethan Allen; and photographer Erin Schuerman, who will discuss visual marketing.

Sara Corless, executive vice president of the KCHBA, believes these big-name presenters and their respective talents and enterprises aptly represent the development and success of the Home Show since its inception.

Since the first Home Show in 1948, the KCHBA has continually expanded and improved the show in response to indoor and outdoor design, building technology and ever-evolving homeowner needs, desires and lifestyles.

In addition to enjoying the featured presentations and exhibition booths, visitors can walk through a 700-square-foot cabin — fondly nicknamed the “Scout Shack” — built with the latest materials, lighting and appliances to inspire those remodeling or building even the smallest home. Built by local builder and former HBA president Chris Ragland of Homes By Chris, it will be donated after the Home Show to the Boy Scouts of America, Heart of America Council, for use at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation.

The Home Show truly is a family affair. The 2015 Home Show community partners, The Boy Scouts, will be on hand to help visitors try their hand at a rock climbing tower and explore a 25-foot tall tipi. Shoppers will delight in the Pop-up Cash and Carry Market offering Zum products; spices, salts and sweets; and custom reclaimed wood pieces. Furry Kids’ Refuge will have lots of four-legged friends looking for a human companion. Stop by to have a portrait created in minutes by artist Thom Richart, the finger-painted pet portrait guy, or take a group photo in a vintage VW bus — The Photobus.

Visitors won’t want to miss the Landscape Square, an impressive feature that shows off the work of several area landscapers as they transform the center of the exhibit hall into a spring garden oasis, providing ideas for a multitude of garden creations.

Pub in the Park beer garden returns this year to allow show visitors to relax and enjoy a Boulevard beer with a view of all the beautiful lawn and garden displays or watch a little basketball on TV.

For those thinking about a remodeling project or building a new home, several local builders will be available to answer questions in the HBA Booth.

This story was originally published March 13, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Kansas City Home Show celebrates 67th anniversary."