Every year, the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show (FWHGS) entertains the masses with a diverse lineup of attractions. This year’s event, taking place Feb. 29-March 3 at the Allen County Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne, is no exception.
“We pride ourselves on not being your typical boring ‘home show,’” says Becky Williamson, owner. “The FWHGS is an event. We have something for everyone young and old.”
Of course, the event features vendors for home remodeling projects and home decorating. Everything from windows, roofing and furniture to plants, flowers and landscaping is covered, and most vendors run “show specials” that they don’t offer anywhere or anytime else, Williamson says.
However, there’s also mini pig races, gnome scavenger hunts, a parakeet encounter, chainsaw carvings by Myles Nasby, show buck giveaways, vendors for pretzels and chocolate, and more. Keynote speakers include “Midwest Gardening Gal” Lisa Hinzman Howard and local celebrity “The Giant Gardening Guy” Alex Babich, along with presentations from local experts on the Purdue Extension Expert Stage.
“We’re also partnering with The Wellness Barn to bring in pickleball demonstrations, kombucha, cheese and ice cream, along with other locally sourced items,” Williamson says.
The FWHGS began with Williamson’s grandfather, Ernie Kerns. After launching the first event in 1973 in a local mall, he expanded until it eventually moved to the Memorial Coliseum.
“The entire show was held in the lower level – what we call the Garden Gallery of the show,” Williamson says. “Each time the building expanded, the show expanded with it. My mom joined my grandfather in the early to mid-1980s, and when my grandfather retired, she took the reins. Having grown up around the show, I decided to make it official and join my mom when my grandfather retired. I’ve been running it since her retirement in 2019, and it’s my dream that my kids will decide to join me some day.”
This year’s event takes place Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for seniors, while children ages 15 and under can enter free. Additionally, the FWHGS is partnering with Community Harvest Food Bank this year, so attendees may bring in a non-perishable food donation for $2 off admission cost.
“The FWHGS has become an annual tradition for much of Fort Wayne and the surrounding communities,” Williamson adds. “While celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2023, I realized how important the show is not only to the hundreds of businesses in the show, but to the entire community. Knowing that I can continue the legacy my grandfather and mom worked so hard to build makes me so proud.”