2012 Special Attractions

2012 Garden Showcase

The excitement is building! Click here to see designs featuring landmarks, icons and traditions of Columbus.

Designer Candice Olson of HGTV’s “Candice Tells All” and “Divine Design” will make her first-ever appearance at the show on Saturday, March 3, at 1 p.m.
Renovation specialist Marc Bartolomeo of DIY Network’s “Kitchen Impossible,” “HGTV’s Design Star,” and “The Nate Berkus Show” will appear at 3 p.m. on the show’s opening day — Saturday, Feb. 25

Advance discount tickets are available till Feb. 24 at the customer-service counter of Central Ohio Kroger locations for $10 (a $2 savings).

Buy a ticket and give back: Nationwide Children’s Hospital will receive a donation of $1.50 from each advance ticket purchased.
Tuesday, Feb. 28, is Dispatch Subscriber Day at the show, when you can print and use a coupon good for $3 off the regular admission price. The coupon is available through Dispatch Reader Rewards right here.
Wednesday, Feb. 29, is Senior Day, when guests 55-plus get in to the show for just $9 — that’s $3 off regular admission price.
Friday, March 2, is AAA Show Your Card and Save Day. Simply show your Ohio AAA Club card at the box office and YOU AND A GUEST can get in to the show for just $9.

Visit with hundreds of helpful, knowledgeable exhibitors who can get you started on your next home project
Learn how to do it yourself at the brand-new Lowe’s DIY Stage with a non-stop lineup of expert demonstrations and classes. It’s just one of three stages at the show, all packed with home-improvement, cooking and gardening demonstrations.
Relax in the 97.1 FAN Cave, Built & Designed by The Basement Doctor, complete with everything you need for a real “man cave,” like a bar, pub games, TV screens, sports memorabilia and more
Your garage can be WAY more than just a place to store your car. See how it can reach its potential by stopping by the Ultimate Garage, which will be decked out with tools, a sound system to delight the ears — and a Chevrolet Camaro to delight the eyes.
Get ideas for your home at the Granite Transformations Kitchen Corner and NARI Remodeling Pavilion

Save, save, save with coupon and shopping strategies from Columbus Savvy Shopper Laurie Dixon on Saturday, Feb. 25, at noon and Feb. 29 at 2 p.m.

Also on Feb. 25, you can look on as some of the area’s top flower experts are put through the paces during our floral arranging competition.
Don’t miss popular Dispatch Food Editor Robin Davis (also of the Dispatch Kitchen segments on 10TV) when she takes the stage on Sunday, Feb. 26, at noon.
Sunday, Feb. 26, from 2-3:30 p.m. is when you can check out our annual amateur cake-decorating contest, judging and (most importantly) tasting.
Roam freely during the show: Drop off your jacket or coat at our Closets By Design Coat Check
Plus, watch out for appearances by NBC4 gardener extraordinaire Tom McNutt; “living statue” Mark Abbati; Dr. Insecta and more

During Dispatch Subscriber Day Feb. 28, we’re continuing our celebration of Columbus’ bicentennial by giving away a $500 Kroger gift card, prizes off our prize wheel, treats and other surprises.

Plus, you can get tips when Dispatch Home & Garden reporter Jim Weiker discusses the latest trends in remodeling from 4-5 p.m. And you can meet Editor Ben Marrison from 6-7 p.m. and ask him anything about the paper.
Gather the ladies for Girls’ Nite out with Sunny 95 from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 1. Full details will be announced soon.
We’re all about child’s play on Saturday, March 3 — Kids Day at the show. Bring the tykes for a visit from creatures from the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, activities at the Kids Korner presented by CW Columbus, appearances by Dr. Insecta and his bugs, a demonstration by the Young Chefs Academy, cupcake decorating and more!

Plus, throughout the show’s run, kids can have fun at The Design Center featuring JELD-WEN: Doorway To Your Imagination, which will have a sandbox, sidewalk chalk, tunnels and more