Midwest Home and Yard Show

from Michiana House and Home - February 2022

by The Papers Inc.

Year-Round Gardening

IS IN THE AIR

• FRIDAY • February 11, 2022 1:00 PM-8:00 PM

• SATURDAY • February 12, 2022 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Michiana Event Center 455 East Farver St. Shipshewana, IN, 46565 (260) 768-3300 www.MichianaEvents.com

Now in its 12th year, the annual Midwest Home & Yard Show is located at the state-of-the-art Michiana Event Center on the south edge of Shipshewana. Now featuring more vendors than ever, mark this on your calendar. You really don’t want to miss this event! It may be cold outside, but this show will be the perfect spot for you to beat that dreaded cabin fever and start thinking SPRING! Come browse and shop through a variety of vendors showing you the latest in home design, outdoor gardening, landscaping, BBQ’ing and much, much more!

12 Annual Midwest Home and Yard Show set for Feb. 11-12

By Beth Anne Brink-Cox, House and Home Feature Writer

Twelve years ago the doors opened on the first Midwest Home and Yard Show in Shipshewana, and it hasn’t stopped growing. As many as 5,000 people in the past have come through the doors of the two day event, and more are expected when the 12 annual Home and Yard Show takes place Feb. 11 and 12.

Karen Flanhardt, in charge of sales and event direction, said, “It began when the Michiana Event Center (MEC) decided they wanted to grow, started small, and just went forward. We’re in a good central point and the MEC has become a destination location for LaGrange County: come to the MEC and then visit the area. The visitors bureau realizes it’s now a destination, not just added value. People tend to stay here, make a weekend of it, so it helps other businesses such as hotels and restaurants.”

Flanhardt went on to say the original thought was to focus on concerts,“But we don’t want to compete with Blue Gate Theatre, and there were so many other things we could offer. We have 26 acres of land, including 1,100 parking spaces, and we’re all about home and yard/land. We have the capabilities to host all sorts of things, such as farm expos, trade shows, antiques, consignments, and auctions. And we do have big events. We can convert our space in about 3 days, such as for an indoor tractor pull that will be held for the second year, measuring 400 feet long. We have a sports floor–the Amishland AAU Grand Prix will be held here in May, which is huge!”

If you think, as I did, that home shows are mostly building materials, well, you’re somewhat correct. Yes, there are all kinds of things available for projects like roofing, flooring, plumbing, doors and windows, and cabinetry, but Flanhardt said, “We have so much more than that! There will be creative landscaping and patio people, painting, things to do with health, barbecues and grills, Young Living oils, insulation, blinds, lawn service. And then there’s chiropractic services, house cleaning aids, handmade vanities, timber and wood sales, even Princess House decor and Pampered Chef. We just really have something for everyone.”

This year, for example, there will be Friesian horses to see, free of charge, in addition to the show, which costs $5 per ticket — a real bargain. Masks are not required because there is no mandate as of yet. There are elevators for easier access, and concessions will be sold.

Giveaways and demonstrations are part of the event, as well. “All vendors donate, and we have big giveaways like lawn tractors, patios and landscaping–we have about $20,000 worth of giveaways for this year’s show. We don’t get many requests for educational demonstrations, as we used to, but we’re ready for those too. We’ve had a vendor with food dehydrators that freezedried all kinds of food and let us taste it. There’s more a move towards self-sufficiency and living off the grid, although no call for generators — yet, ” Flanhardt said.

“What we offer is special. Good quality companies, generally within 20 miles. I mean, Four Woods Shades and Blinds make their own! So these vendors can come measure for blinds, or build your driveway, or put your fencing up. It’s more than just buying materials for projects.”

While you might be able to buy everything in one of the big box stores,“You might have to go to this vendor for this and that vendor for that, but they’ll be your installers,” explained Flanhardt.

So if the approaching spring has you beginning to make plans, don’t go any farther with them before you attend this jam-packed show. The MEC is located at 455 E Farver St, Shipshewana. n