Daily Press file photo
A Smart Gardening presentation is shown at a past Kiwanis Home & Garden Show. The event returns this weekend at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.
ESCANABA — Spring is here and with it comes the Kiwanis Home & Garden Show. The annual event promises to bring the latest and greatest of home improvement and landscaping and, of course, a heaping helping of pancakes.
The three-day event kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. In addition to homemade pancakes served by the Escanaba Noon Kiwanis from 5 p.m. until doors close at 8 p.m., guests will be able to peruse booths from vendors and community groups.
“We’re up to full capacity, which is exciting for us,” said Aaron Deiter, of the Escanaba Noon Kiwanis, adding the pandemic has limited the number of vendors and booths at recent Home & Garden Shows.
While the majority of the booths are focused on sharing products, services and information related to all aspects of homes, gardens and community organizations in Delta County, there will be a number of activities aimed at children. Between 5 and 8 p.m., children will be able to participate in a scavenger hunt at the Kiwanis booth, paint flower pots and plant seeds at the Key Club booth, or make crafts at the Bonifas Art center booth. These activities and steam engine rides around the U.P. State Fairgrounds will be available to guests all three days of the show.
The evening also offers a chance for gardeners to hone their knowledge. From 5:30 to 6 p.m., Michigan State University Extension’s Smart Gardening campaign will present on priority invasive species in the Central Upper Peninsula. From 6:30 to 7 p.m., Smart Gardening will present on preparing food for preservation, which includes discussion on pressure canner lid testing, jar prep and other aspects of home canning.
Saturday is a special day at this year’s Home & Garden Show, as it’s the day the Escanaba Noon Kiwanis celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The day kicks off at 9 a.m. and runs until 7 p.m. Pancakes will be served from open until 2 p.m.
MSU Extension Smart Gardening presentations will include “What Are Beneficial Insects and How Do I Invite Them To My Garden” from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.; “Small Space Vegetable Gardening” from 10:15 to 11 a.m.; a presentation on the Escanaba Community Garden, the group’s activities and how to become a member from 12:15 to 1 p.m.; “Bee Facts” from 2:15 to 3 p.m.; and “Horticultural Mysteries” from 3 to 3:45 p.m.
From 2 to 7 p.m., local beer and wine will be served. Adult guests will be able to enjoy beverages from Upper Hand Brewery, Leigh’s Garden Winery, Herford & Hops and Northern Sun Winery.
From 5 to 6 p.m., the Kiwanis will celebrate their 100th anniversary with the first ever “Kids Olympics for Adults.” According to Deiter, the specific games that will be played during the event are top secret but will be similar to children’s playground games. The Kiwanis and their six strategic partners — Big Brothers Big Sisters, Child Advocacy Center, Escanaba Public Library, Northern Lights YMCA, Salvation Army, and Scouts — will battle against each other in the event, which aims to show the public how the groups support local children and the community.
From 5 to 7 p.m., music will be provided by Amp’d Entertainment.
Sunday will round out the three days of the event, with the show continuing from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pancakes will be served throughout the day, and, in addition to vendors and activities for children, MSU Extension will present two sessions: “Small Space Vegetable Gardening” from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. and “How To Prune Your Apple Tree” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
for more information about the Escanaba Noon Kiwanis or the Home and Garden Show, visit escanabakiwanis.org.