After losing two years due to the global pandemic, the Aurora Home & Living Show will return to the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex next weekend.
Set to take place at the SARC on Saturday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., it will offer an array of vendors and activities for the whole family – and everything is free thanks to community admission sponsor Kempenfelt Windows & Doors.
“It was always our dream to have this come back as soon as possible,” says Sandra Watson of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. “With regulations and everything else, back in January and February it was full steam ahead; restrictions were starting to lift and we took the chance – and we’ve had really good luck!”
As of Friday, space inside the SARC’s east arena, which will be transformed into the Home & Living Show, was 98 per cent sold out. It’s a positive sign of the interest, for sure, but the consolidated footprint is also a sign of the times.
“We are well aware of the challenges that businesses were facing coming out of the pandemic with everything from staff shortages to product shortages, not to mention the increased financial stress,” says Watson of the Chamber’s decision to come back a little bit smaller and expand once again over the next year or two. “That being said, it is going to be a good cross-section of businesses and vendors.”
Sectors set to be represented at the home show include home renovation and services; gardens, landscaping and decking; interior design; health and wellness; and local service organizations.
“We have several exhibitors who have been with us for many years – we have Aurora Overhead Doors, Glidden Plumbing and Renovation, Kempenfelt Windows and Doors, Aurora Glass & Mirror, and Backyard Pool and Spa,” says Ms. Watson. “There will also be some first-timers this year including Ocean Nursery, Staging for Life, Premier Home Detailing, and Monaco Interiors.”
Also new this year will be some family-friendly entertainment courtesy of the Aurora Cultural Centre on Saturday at 11 a.m.
“The Cultural Centre’s Meridian Magic Carpet Series will present Pop! Pop!” says Watson. “This is a live show that features some sensory experiences, live music and puppets. The Aurora Cultural Centre will also be there with a booth as well promoting their shows and the programs they have in the next couple of months. On Sunday at 11 a.m., we have a favourite of ours, Coach Steve’s sports, with his ‘silly magic show,’ which will have kids from two up to 90 who will be thoroughly entertained.”
The Optimist Club of Aurora will also be stationed outside the SARC’s main entrance with their mobile kitchen each day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Additional Home & Lifestyle Show sponsors include the Town of Aurora, Addison Marketing Solutions, and the radio stations Light 88.5 and 105.9 The Region.
“We’re just so looking forward to having a Home Show after two years,” says Watson. “So many of our exhibitors just need this and I think residents are looking forward to it – to getting out, to seeing people that they haven’t seen before, and just coming out and supporting local business.”
For more information, visit www.aurorachamber.on.ca/home-living-show.
Brock Weir is a federally fudned Local Journalism Initiative reporter at The Auroran
