What if your next home project started with a sip of coffee, a leisurely stroll through interactive vendor displays and a chat with the best builders and designers in the business? Sounds pretty ideal to me!
After what feels like an endless winter, I know summer is on the horizon when the Cottage & Home Expo rolls into Owen Sound. The 2025 Expo will be held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and JD McArthur Arena on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Just when spring starts to give way to summer’s sunny nudge.
The expo brings together more than 140 exhibitors showcasing the latest in home and cottage living. From expert builders and interior designers to landscapers, outdoor specialists, and sustainable living solutions, the event offers everything you need to create the perfect space inside and out, all in one place. The City of Owen Sound has partnered with the Knights of Columbus and the Grey Bruce Home Builders and Trades Association to welcome over 3500 visitors every year. You could be one of those 3500.
The Expo is also hosting an Ask the Expert Panel, where you will get a chance to hear from top industry pros on everything from home renovations and cottage ownership to the latest in smart and sustainable living. Leading this year’s panel is Sue Pitchforth of Decor Therapy Plus, an international award-winning designer known for her fun, affordable, and stress-free approach to home design. There will also be an opportunity for live Q&A where you’ll get to ask your own questions, so come prepared! What’s your burning question about home design? Jot it down and go ask Sue.
Beyond that, though, the expo offers a welcoming atmosphere where homeowners, cottage lovers, and industry professionals come together to celebrate great design and quality craftsmanship. We all love scrolling Pinterest for home ideas, but actually getting started on these projects can be daunting. But that is what the expo is for: to get started on turning those Pinterest boards into a reality.
Okay, and here is another reason to visit the Home & Cottage Expo: we are all for uplifting the local community and the businesses within it. And, the expo is the perfect place to connect residents and visitors with local businesses and the people who truly care about making your home and cottage project smooth and stress-free. It’s a great chance to discover Canadian-made products and businesses because that’s so important right now!
Even if you’re not planning any home or cottage renos anytime soon, the expo is still worth a visit. Who doesn’t love a little home inspiration anyway? And, you never know, you might just leave with a new project in mind.
Maybe you want to do more than just attend this year’s expo, maybe you want to be a part of it. Luckily for you, they are still accepting vendors. Showcasing your business at a community event like this is a great way to connect with visitors, residents, and other local businesses. In years prior, the expo typically saw around 3,500 guests come through every year, making it successful for all those involved. For more information on that, check out their website.
Maybe you just want to volunteer? That’s cool too. Sign up here: www.owensound.ca/volunteer
The Entry fee for Adults is $5, and children 12 and under are free. All admission proceeds go toward the initiatives of the Knights of Columbus.
So mark your calendars! Bring a friend, your partner, or even the whole family (there’s a kids zone!), or maybe just a solo outing. Either way, make a weekend out of it. We will see you there!
Written by Maddy Grasman
