Although the weather painted a gray sky Saturday, over 70 vendors helped bring some color to the environment with their home and garden displays for the annual NCO Home and Garden Show at the Ohio State Reformatory.
Friday marked the event’s kickoff. Natilie Miller of the Building and Industry Association of North Central Ohio said the first day saw several people, many of whom with food items in their hands for admittance to the event. She noted that each year, roughly 75 percent of attendees donate food items, which are then distributed to food banks throughout Richland County.
“We’ve already got a half pick-up load of food,” she said.
Vendors’ displays were set up both inside the Reformatory within the guard room and barbershop as well as outside in front of the building under a 40 foot by 200 foot tent.
“We have everything,” Miller stated. “Everything from home and garden supplies, to insurance, realty, technology, and more.”
Michael James with Everdry Waterproofing, a full-service waterproofing company in Mansfield, said that Everdry has had a display at the home and garden show since the show’s beginning. “It’s fun to interact with the community and hear from people who say they’ve loved our services.”
Miller said that the show drew many new vendors this year, including Andre and Pamela Clark, founders of KickBox Audio. The Clarks displayed their creation called the KickBox—a portable speaker that can connect via auxiliary to basically any mobile device or computer. The newcomers said they’ve enjoyed participating in the show. “Everyone’s been really kind,” said Pamela Clark.
In addition to hearing about all of the different items on display, attendees got a chance to test their luck with a slot machine provided by Larmco, a windows and siding business. Larmco employee Brett Sherrick said that the company often brings the slot machine when going to different shows and that it has proved to be a great way to talk to people. The jackpot is $10,000 in home improvements.
Visitors also received the opportunity to take a self-guided tour of the reformatory.
The NCO Home and Garden Show was presented by the Building and Industry Association of North Central Ohio and Jamison Well Drilling and Pump Service. Sponsors of the event included J&J Spray, Zara Construction, and Shearer Equipment.
Miller extended a word of thanks for the Reformatory volunteers who helped with the show. “They’ve done a tremendous job with helping us out,” she said.
Sunday is the show’s final day—open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $2 per person or a donation of two non-perishable food items per person. Children younger than 10 are free.
