New Orleans Home & Garden Show is March 11-13

The New Orleans Home & Garden Show is back in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on March 11-13. The Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans brings a variety of home-related services and products under one roof with everything from home remodeling and decorating to green building to landscaping, according to the association’s news release.
The theme for this year’s show is “The Fit Home,” as it reflects the many ways to prepare a home for every day, high-tech living, enhanced security as well as aging in place. The show will feature experts, products and unique ideas to make the home and its surrounding space fit.
Show hours are noon to 8 p.m. March 11, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 12 and 13.
Admission is adults, $15; military, $8 with appropriate identification; and children under 12, free. Tickets are available at the Superdome box office.
Visitors can get a $5 off admission coupon by visiting online at www.nolahomeandgarden show.com and clicking the ‘$5 Off Admission’ link.
Some of the show features will include:
—Turning backyard sheds into usable space.
No longer is the backyard shed used just for storing outdoor equipment and supplies. Use for the outdoor space includes everything from art studios to craft rooms to ‘man caves’ and greenhouses. Add an outdoor kitchen to have an entertainment space. The Home Show will feature a number of sheds fully furnished by area designers that will show visitors what can be done with outdoor space.
—Aging in place and technology experience centers.
PEMBA, a lighting and automation company, will present four room vignettes, each highlighting the latest in technology for both high-tech homeowners and those who wish to age in place. Talk with experts who can help create sustainable, intelligent environments in the home. Get hands-on experiences with the latest technology with lights that turn on once movement in the room is sensed, to home automation that responds to voice commands.
—Benjamin Bullins presents “Dare2Dive” art workshops
Local artisan Benjamin Bullins will hold Repurposed Art Workshops, including one just for children, during the show to help patrons get in touch with their creative side. He will bring a dumpster filled with simple items to teach how to turn anything into something wonderful for the home. To take part in these free workshops, register in advance on the show’s website at www.neworleanshomeshows.com. The only cost is the entry ticket to the show.
—Home hardening.
The term ‘home hardening’ is an adaptation from a military and law enforcement concept — target hardening, meaning making a target less attractive or approachable. Rolf Parelius, owner of Viking Construction Services in Plaquemines Parish, will be at the show to offer tips and further explain what residents can do to make it harder for a criminal to gain access to their house.
—The Fit Home also refers to those who live in them.
This year, LCMC Health is sponsoring “The LCMC Healthy Lifestyle Pavilion,” and will have health professional and fitness experts from Touro, West Jefferson Medical Center, Children’s Hospital and University Medical Center on hand for health screenings and to answer questions.
—Home Run Sip ‘N Stroll.
On March 11, patrons will have the historic opportunity to run, walk or stroll more than two miles of ramps inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The 6 p.m. indoor race, open to all ages, culminates in the VIP Bunker Club for the Post-Race Celebration.
Registration is $25 before Feb. 28 ($30 after) and includes the post-race celebration plus admission to the New Orleans Home & Garden Show for the entire weekend. The Home Run Sip ‘N Stroll is being produced by race producer Triton Events.
—Seminars.
The New Orleans Home & Garden Show will feature seminars this year that will be repeated throughout each day. A listing, including the times for each seminar, will be provided.
—Energy IQ Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Entergy New Orleans.
Visitors will be on the hunt for more than just the latest in products, information and support for their home building or renovating projects; they will also have the chance to hunt throughout the show’s massive floor space in a contest to win energy-efficiency and technology prizes.
—Arcs and Sparks.
Entergy will bring its “Arcs and Sparks” safety demonstration into the Superdome. These demonstrations, which help educate the public to stay away from power lines by giving a first-hand look at the awesome and dangerous power of electricity, will be held about every two hours on March 12 and 13.
—Bark Park and Obedience Training.
Rescue centers will be on site with adoptable dogs. There will also be agility and obedience training demonstrations, meet-and-greets with purebreds, information on rehabilitating a dog and tips on evacuating with pets.
—Eat Fit NOLA Cooking Stage.
Nutritionist Molly Kimball will take the lead as emcee as she and some of the city’s best known chefs present the 2016 Eat Fit NOLA Cooking Stage. Cooking demonstrations will be every hour on the hour March 12 and 13 and will feature healthy dishes.