Kiwanis Home & Rec Show set for this weekend
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — As the temperatures begin to rise and the snow continues to melt, people are now thinking of ways to make repairs and improvements to their homes.
Those looking for some creative ideas should plan to attend this weekend’s Presque Isle Kiwanis Home & Recreation Show.
Scheduled for April 16-17 at The Forum, this year’s show will feature approximately 50 vendors.
“Most of vendors that are there are there to help with things as far as your home goes like electronics, pets, oil companies, roofing companies, furniture, paints, vacuums and more,” said LaNiece Winslow, chair of the Home & Recreation Show. “There will also be some food vendors, as well as in-home sales like Pampered Chef and Scentsy Candles … those types of things.”
Among the highlights of this year’s show will include a boating safety talk at 10 a.m. Saturday by the Aroostook Valley Sail and Power Squadron, cartoon characters from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, face painting both days by the Presque Isle High School Key Club, Kiwanis Talent Revue winners performing from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, and pageant queens and princesses visiting from 1-2 p.m. Sunday.
Also Dana Fowler, Presque Isle’s solid waste director, will be on hand to answer questions about the city’s new Pay As You Throw program. Other municipal entities participating will include the Presque Isle Police Department, the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library, and the Presque Isle Fire Department will have its “smoke house” available for children to learn how to exit a home safely.
The popular Chili Challenge will be returning once again Saturday.
Walk-in entries are welcome and must be there by 9:45 a.m. Saturday. Tasting and judging will begin at 10 a.m. and go until the chili is gone.
“People can buy a bowl of chili for $5 or a sampler of five different chilies for $5,” said Winslow. “We’ve had local restaurants participate, as well as people on an individual basis. Attendees will vote for their favorite and the winner will receive a trophy.
“I think there’s something for everybody,” she said. “It will be a good chance to get out of the house, get some new ideas for around the home, meet some new people and have a good time.”
Show hours are Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, while children 12 and under are admitted free.
Proceeds will go to the Kiwanis’ general fund to help local children, charities and activities.
