CHICO — Roughly 10,000 people spent the weekend shopping at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds.
The 14th annual Chico Home and Garden Show took place at the fairgrounds, utilizing all of its five exhibition halls and acres of outdoor space.
Marketed as the biggest show ever held in the north state, the two-day event offered more than 250 exhibits and services on home and yard improvements.
“People can (do) price comparison and shop right on site,” show producer Andrew Coolidge said. “They can find multiple companies that sell the same thing at the same time.”
The show also featured an indoor pumpkin patch with free pumpkins being given out and Halloween photo walls to take pictures in front of.
“The goal is for this event to be a true family event, not just a huge Home and Garden Show,” Coolidge said.
This year’s show focused on providing exhibitors specializing in fire-safe home ideas, tiny homes manufactures and rebuilding experts.
Coolidge said there were 15 builders on site able to rebuild homes from the ground up.
“We have worked hard over the last few months to ensure that we have a show which addresses the issues Butte County is facing,” Coolidge said. “We still have an amazing show with everything for your home and yard, but we have added in many new companies and aspects of the show to make rebuilding easier and faster.”
AMVIC Pacific, Inc President Randy Bunnell was one of the many home builder specialists available for attendees this weekend.
Bunnell’s company distributes and builds with insulated concrete forms which make homes more fire-resistant, reduce exterior noise and lessen heating and cooling costs.
AMVIC Pacific, Inc is currently working on two projects in Paradise, Bunnell said.
Bunnell also discussed how he and others at the show provide hope for those looking to rebuild.
“People who haven’t decided whether they’re going to rebuild or not, they’re seeing our product as an opportunity to go back home,” Bunnell said.
“There’s still so much interest here and that’s incredible,” Bunnell added.
Despite not directly being impacted by the PG&E Public Safety Power Shut-off occurring over the weekend, Coolidge said that the shut-off did affect Sunday’s attendance a little.
“People don’t know if we have power or not,” Coolidge said. “We’re getting a lot of calls asking if we have power and if we’re here.”
The next Chico Home and Garden Show will take place April 18 and 19 at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds.