Interested in spring renovations? Got a room/deck/yard/roof that needs updating? Then there's likely no better place in the entire Okanagan to be this Sunday than the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
That's where you'll find Day Two of the 2025 Penticton Home and Reno Show.
The 29th iteration of the event got underway Saturday at the PT&CC, where nearly 100 vendors and exhibitors from all over the valley and indeed as far as the lower mainland welcomed, informed and offered their services to the 2,000-plus guests that walked in the door.
Sunday will be much of the same, with one key exception. From 11 AM to 2 PM chefs will serve up "Smokies for SOWINS," a lunchtime BBQ where all proceeds are earmarked for the South Okanagan Women in Need Society.
Carly Rantall, executive officer of organizing body Canadian Home Builders Association South Okanagan, was pleased with all she saw.
"When we started back in the day," she said Saturday afternoon, "we used about half the area we do now. But our available vendor spaces fill up pretty quickly these days and the event's been about this size for the past decade.
"This year we have 96 vendors in all and 140 stalls, so some have double stalls. And now we use the whole space."
One of 2025's vendors is Penticton-based garage door retailer, installer and repair outfit Bob's Door Service.
"My husband Bob worked for another garage door company right here in town for 25 years before he decided to go out on his own," said Bob's Door co-owner Michelle Swetlikoe. "And in 2014 we opened our business.
"Then in 2015, one year later, we did our first (Penticton) Home Show. It was absolutely phenomenal, and we’ve been a vendor here ever since. And today has been great. We’ve been busy from the start – people needing sales calls or service calls all morning long."
According to Swetlikoe, Bob's Door Service, like many local and regional businesses, has not been immune to the post-COVID economic hangover.
"We relocated from the West Bench to Dartmouth Drive near the SPCA during COVID because we were so busy," she said. "Since then we've slowed considerably, though we're still able to keep five people employed full time."
But regardless of the current economic environment, Swetlikoe believes the Home and Reno Show will continue to play a big role in Bob's Door Service's spring marketing campaign in the years to come.
"We plan to do this every year going forward," she said. "I'm a people person, and this event is great for that."
Also on hand this weekend, as they've been for many years now, is Summerland-based Artistic Awning & Screens.
"As long as I can remember, 18 years, we've been coming to the Penticton Home Show," said co-owner Hailey Smith. "It consistently delivers one of the best turnouts of any show we do, including three in Kelowna."
Smith, who shares ownership with three other family members, describes her business as an "exterior shade company."
"We have custom-made awnings, retractable roll screens and roll shutters," she said. "We manufacture the screens in Summerland from products we bring in, and the awnings come from Aristocrat Shade Products in Markham, Ontario."
Artistic operates two showrooms – one in Summerland and another in Kelowna – and Smith says she "loves people coming to the showroom."
"We suggest our sales rep come to you at no obligation," she advised, "then you come into the showroom so you can play with the specific products you've been quoted for."
Or you can stop by the Artistic booth today at the 2025 Penticton Home and Reno Show.
Doors open at 10 AM and close at 4. The $5 admission gives you a chance at a $2,000 prize package from Skyview Closets & Blinds.
And don't forget that "Smokies for SOWINS" barbecue. It runs from 11 to 2 and all proceeds benefit the South Okanagan Women in Need Society.
