ESCANABA — The Escanaba Kiwanis Club Home and Garden Show starts today and contines through Sunday at the U.P. State Fairground’s Ruth Butler Building.

The event’s major sponsor is American Metal Roofs of Northern Wisconsin.

The Kiwanis Club is a global volunteer organization with the mission of being a positive influence on communities, especially for the benefit of children. Throughout the three-day event, a “scavenger hunt” that families can pick up from the Kiwanis booth upon arrival encourages kids to interact with the various booths as they make rounds with their guardians.

“The Home and Garden Show is an opportunity for people to get connected with vendors in the springtime,” said Kiwanis Board Member Mike Markwell, who coordinates with vendors for the show.

Free for the public to attend, the event gathers vendors mostly geared around improving households and yards. There will be demonstrations from the Michigan State University Master Gardeners throughout the weekend, and booths will host distributors of a variety of products and companies specializing in home improvement. Kiwanis was still looking for artists interested in participating when the Press spoke with organizers earlier this week.

One element that’s been part of the Home and Garden Shows for years and returns this time around is the pancake meal. Volunteers with the Kiwanis Club will be cooking up pancakes from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday becomes “Family Night” from 4 to 7 p.m., offering karaoke for kids, dancing, and complimentary snacks for children 12 and under.

Markwell said that new vendors may continue to register so long as booth space is available. Forms are found on the website at escanabakiwanis.org. Questions may be directed to (906)786-6013.

Home and Garden Show hours for public attendance are from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 12; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 13; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 14.

Smart Gardening presentation schedule is:

Friday, April 12

5:30 – 6 p.m. Integrated Wildlife Damage Management in MI Gardens – James DeDecker, PhD, Director Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, this presentation will cover the background on wildlife damage in Michigan, provide tips on identifying and diagnosing wildlife damage, a review of wildlife damage management strategies available to gardeners, and highlight education resources available for addition

information.

6:30 – 7 p.m. Tools for Food Preservation – Stephanie Ostrenga-Sprague, MSU Extension Supervising/Food Safety Educator, Join Stephanie to discuss different tools that are used for food preservation or to make food preservation easier.

Pressure Canning Lid Testing Available – Stephanie Ostrenga-Sprague – bring your pressure canning lid on Friday only, and Stephanie can provide a free pressure accuracy test.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

9 – 9:45 a.m. Growing vegetables in small spaces – Rebecca Krans, MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator – even if you have limited space, you can successfully grow vegetables; workshop will include

demonstration of small space gardens which will be provided as door prizes.

10:15 – 11 a.m. Soil Block demonstration-Amanda Ward-MSU Extension Master Gardener Trainee, learn how to create your own soil blocks for starting seeds and decrease plastic use.

12:30 – 1:15 p.m. Larvinia – Children’s puppet show– Jackie Manchester- MSU Extension Advanced Master Gardener, join Jackie for a delightful children or family-friendly puppet show, about a special caterpillar’s lifecycle.

2:00 – 3 p.m. The Marvelous Honeybee – Bernie Driggs, Beekeeper for over 40 years, 2019 Beekeeper of the Year Award for Michigan Beekeeper’s Association, learn more about honeybees and what’s involved in keeping honeybees.

3:15 – 4 p.m. Transforming What You Have into What You Want: My solution to a difficult landscaping challenge – Jackie Manchester, MSU Extension Advanced Master Gardener, learn smart concepts of the right plant, right place and the importance of soil testing, and the environment for garden success.

Sunday, April 14

9:30 – 10:15 a.m. Plant a Square Foot Herb Garden – Rebecca Krans, MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator – Learn how to create a convenient herb garden for your deck. This completed garden will then be provided as a door prize for those attending.

11:30 – 12:15 p.m. Food Budgeting and Meal Planning, Amber Hayward, MSU Extension Community Nutrition Instructor – You really can eat healthy and save money on your food budget. It just takes a little time in the beginning to plan, and before you know it, your household is eating healthier, there are less doctor visits, and you are saving

money.-