MOSES LAKE - All sorts of goodies and gadgets for the home and garden, from candles to solar panels, were on display for perusal and sale at the Central Washington Home Expo over the weekend. The show was sponsored by the Columbia Basin Herald.

"This is the best time to find out what's out there," Doug Hutfles, of Moses Lake, said. Vendors came from throughout the state, selling closet organizers, jewelry, custom etched glass, household cleaners, sunglasses and tax preparation. Hutfles said he's found ideas for home improvement at previous expos.

"It's fun to come. Just to see what's going on," Joyce Spencer, of Moses Lake, said.

Bruce Pratt, Tri-Cities, had bite-size candy bars spread out on his All-City Closet Company table. "We're giving away chocolate. We're selling closets," he said. Big closets, even room-size closets, are a major trend in current homes, he said, and people need some way to keep track of everything that's in there.

When asked if trade shows are a good way to grow business, Pratt displayed a handful of forms with customer information. "That's what I've done so far today. What do you think?" he said.

His products caught the eye of another vendor. "I am going to check out that closet thing," said Lori Valdez, of Moses Lake, who was selling Scentsy diffusers and accessories. She said trade shows work out well for her.

"They're fabulous," she said. "They give you new customers" and a chance to reconnect with previous customers, she said. And a business has to have some way of getting the word out, she said.

Rob Frank, of Arlington, was giving away little sponges. "Squeeze it. Good for stress," he said. He travels the trade show circuit around the country, selling a cleaner called Scum-Off. "It sells best that way," he said. The face-to-face contact gives customers a chance to ask questions, he said.

John Taylor, of Moses Lake, actually had work to do at home, he said, but he was tagging along with his wife. "I'll probably get lunch out of it," he said.

The Grant County Animal Shelter brought dogs for adoption on Saturday as well.