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priced under $10,000” as being attractive to “people … growing their own foods and produce. Maine has some of the richest soil in the country. “People want to cut their grocery costs and guarantee fresh food by growing their own,” he said. “Maine Garden Supply is bringing greenhouses” to the Bangor show, Appleman said. “They tell me [that] they keep selling their displays, people want the greenhouses so bad.” Saunas, decks, and hardwood floors “have never really lost their appeal,” he commented. “Flooring has always been hot. People want the gorgeous hardwood flooring in their homes. The high-tech hardwood flooring is popular. Bamboo [flooring] is hot.” Out of doors, “stone work, outdoor patios, outdoor kitchens” are all the rage, according to Appleman. Homeowners are constructing outdoor patios with pavers as the flooring material and then installing patio furniture and an outdoor kitchen. “Sheds are big; they’re coming back,” he said. “Alternative energy is still a hit with pellet fuels, gas inserts. People are looking to reduce their heating costs. A pellet stove or a gas insert can do that.” At the Dead River Co. exhibit, employees will pass out show bags “to heighten the awareness” of that company’s acquisition of Webber Oil’s retail heating division, Appleman said. The bags will be great for carrying material collected at different exhibits throughout Bass Park. For businesspeople operating home offices, shelving and officerelated furniture are popular, Appleman indicated. Collectively, Bangor Home Show distributors will feature “something for every economic situation,” he said. “For the do-ityourselfer to the high-end homeowner, there will be products and services on display that can work with everyone’s budget. “The buying confidence of this show is at an all-time peak,” Appleman said. “People are waiting for this show. The tax returns have come back, and people are ready to buy.
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“You couldn’t find a better collection of businesses that what we have at this show,” he said. “Luckily the winter hasn’t been so bad,” and some contractors worked through the winter months. “Now they’re looking for projects for the spring and summer. They want to meet potential customers and talk about their projects,” Appleman said. “This show is going to jump start everything.” Appleman annually organizes six home shows in New England and usually ends that run with Bangor. The Portland show proceeds the Queen City’s, but the Bangor show takes the visitation
honors. “Bangor has always drawn more people,” Appleman said, noting that “I’m anticipating a gangbuster [at-tendance], 18,000-21,000 people. In Portland I get a 30-mile radius [that] people are coming from. In Bangor, I get a three-hour radius. “This show has a reputation and a name. They come down from Fort Kent and Madawaska,” he said. In November 2013, All Seasons Promotions will add a seventh home show by introducing the Eastern States Fall Home Show at the Eastern States Exposition in
BDN PHOTO BY BRIAN SWARTZ
A US Cellular representative chats with visitors to the 2011 Bangor Home Show.
West Springfield, Mass. “When I do this one, the vendors will be coming from all over,” Appleman said. “We are having a good show season,” he said. “I’m looking forward to Bangor.” He invited Bangor Home Show
visitors to check out the All Seasons Promotions’ Web site at www.homeshows.com. Above Appleman’s signature, the Web site stresses, “We bring together the region’s finest builders, remodelers and local businesses.”