SPOKANE — As the days get longer and spring inches closer, thoughts turn to — well, lots of things, but getting out in the garden and sprucing up the house, among others. So spring is the season for home and garden shows.

Two are scheduled for this weekend, one in Yakima and one in Wenatchee.

“Beyond the Blueprint” is the theme of the Central Washington Home Expo, Friday through Sunday at the Yakima Sundome, 1301 Fair Ave. It’s sponsored by the Central Washington Home Builders Association. Tickets are available online and at the door and are $11 general admission, $9 for seniors.

Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Sunday hours were not listed. 

The Home Expo is a longtime tradition in the Yakima area, dating back about four decades, according to the organization’s social media. It focuses on all things home-related, from building the house to furnishing and decoration. 

Participants include builders, electricians and plumbers, window and insulation companies, heating-cooling system contractors, mortgage brokers, insurance agents, decorators, cabinet makers, custom furniture makers, people who install new bathtubs over the old, people who can help organize closets and garages and more besides.

The “Makers Market” features artists and crafters from throughout the region, selling handcrafted products ranging from furniture to candles. Baxter Construction, Yakima, will sponsor “Workforce Way,” where children and families can learn about construction and building with some hands-on activities, including birdhouse-making and building block contests. 

The Farmgirl Pickings boutique will sponsor a “make and take” workshop and a scavenger hunt is planned.

The KPQ Home Expo also is scheduled for this weekend at the Town Toyota Center, 1300 Walla Walla Ave., Wenatchee. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

Exhibitors cover the whole range of businesses and materials for building a home and furnishing it, and way beyond. Of course they include builders, heating-cooling contractors, plumbers, electricians, mortgage companies, window installers, roofers, renovation companies, landscapers, custom blind companies and swimming pool and hot tub retailers. But there’s a lot more.

Back hurt after doing all that work? Chiropractors and massage therapists will be exhibiting. Want to hire somebody to run the bar for that housewarming party? Mixologists will be there. Want a four-wheeler to park in the new garage? They’ll be there. Vendors will be selling home decor and artists will have works to decorate indoors and out. 

The Chelan-Douglas Master Gardeners will be presenting four classes throughout the weekend. Topics include reestablishing native habitat around a residence, finding and controlling invasive species, composting and building a bee-friendly environment. 

The 47th annual Spokane Home and Garden Show is scheduled for April 12-14 at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 West Spokane Falls Blvd. Show hours are noon to 8 p.m. April 12, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 13 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 14. Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for seniors and members of the military.

It’s for any homeowner who’s working on or thinking about any project, according to the show website. It too hosts a wide range of builders and home construction and improvement businesses, from heating and cooling companies to painters. Home decor, fire pits, water softening systems, florists and dog trainers will be among the vendors.

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at [email protected].

    Remodeling a kitchen can be a rewarding, if costly, experience. By visiting a home show, not only can homeowners get ideas for features they'd like in a kitchen, they can connect with those who can advise them on how to remodel more affordably. Make sure to check all contractors' licenses to ensure they're current.
  

    Bathrooms are one of the most common home improvement tasks. Whether you want to upgrade the guest bath or get a really bougie primary suite bath, a home show can provide a lot of ideas. With all home improvement vendors, verify their reliability on the Better Business Bureau's website prior to signing a contract.