QHBA Home and Cottage Show a big success

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DAVID LECLAIR

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FOR POSTMEDIA

The Quinte Wellness Centre hosted another successful multiday event across two arenas over three days.

The Quinte Home Builders planned and organized the 51st annual Quinte Home & Cottage Show, bringing the community together and joining builders, contractors, and other industry experts to be informed about the latest innovative construction products and eco-friendly environmental solutions for upcoming projects.

“We have things all home and cottage; everything you need for home and cottage, said Ruth Estwick, CEO of Quinte Home Builders Association in Belleville and organizer of the Home and Cottage show. “Renovations, DIY inspiration, anything you would like to learn about purchasing a cottage, all of those things were here this weekend,” she said, joined by her daughter and QHBA event volunteer Riley Gadsden.

Participants could shop the latest trends for the ideal modern living spaces with vendors ranging from cookware, home décor, outdoor living, and construction products and speak with licensed builders and contractors serving the region. Venders comprised QHBA Certified members, major sponsor exhibitors, and other business professionals in the Bay of Quinte area.

This year marks the 51st annual home show in the Belleville community. Coming out of COVID-19, Eatwick said this year was excellent for us (QHBA event organizers) and explained that feedback from participating exhibitors and attendees was upbeat throughout the weekend.

HGTV host Scott McGillivray presented on the main stage. Additionally, he delivered a VIP presentation and meet and greet. Tickets were an additional $20 on top of the general admission price. “We had Scott Macgillivray from HGTV here; it was a fantastic turnout,” said Estwick.

Students and contractors were invited on Friday afternoon for one hour to learn more about the residential construction industry. Seniors’ Day was half-price all Day Sunday, and general admission to the event was $10. Children under 12 are free with a paying adult. The local Loyalist College was in attendance with an information booth.

General admission also came with a chance to win a Pellet BBQ package valued at $1800 courtesy of Fireplace Specialties, Serenity Performance Sea Kayak & Paddle valued over $1500 courtesy of Ooni Canada, and a Cordless Vacuum valued at $300 courtesy of Unidem Sales. Other prizes, such as various gift card vouchers, were also to be won.

Dorthey Worobetz, small business owner and operator of Saucy Dotty’s from Brighton, said that her business experience over the weekend was “fantastic, and it looks like it’s happening again today,” she remarked. Worobetz was dishing out meatball samples with a cup of sauce to attendees. Her business offers delicious sauces in various flavours made locally in Brighton.

On Sunday afternoon, a live cooking demonstration by Matt DeMille of Matt DeMille’s Cooking Experience. DeMille, from Belleville, is known for delivering a unique dining experience.

DeMille delivered a demonstration using the Omni pizza oven. “Today we are making a hot pizza dip,” he said, boasting about Ooni’s versatile pizza oven, which attendees had the chance to win as one of the door prizes this weekend. DeMille is a brand ambassador for Ooni and did a series of three demonstrations over the weekend. “This year is good. I always get a little worried before the demo, but as soon as people hear pizza or smell the food, they [flock] in,” said DeMille. “It’s a good small-town show,” adding that he is proud to participate in the event as a demonstration chef.

Brad Newbatt, chair of the QHBA and owner of Frontier Homes in Belleville, commented that the experience and traffic at this year’s show were good. “Good quality leads came through this year,” said Newbatt, “People are serious, looking to build or fix up houses,” he added.