Vendors say home show is beneficial

Visitors browse through a variety of booths during the 31st Annual Fort Scott Area Home and Garden Show on Saturday at Arnold Arena on the Fort Scott Community College campus. About 25 different exhibitors from the area were featured at the event, which included door prizes, demonstrations and free samples. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

Although overall attendance was down at this year's Fort Scott Area Home and Garden Show, organizers and vendors said they still found the event beneficial.

Chairwoman Dola Cress said turnout on Saturday at the event was solid, but attendance on Sunday was low, which could be attributed to the nice weather on Sunday that Cress said most likely drew many people to participate in outdoor activities. Organizers had hoped for 1,000 people.

"The crowds were smaller than we hoped," Cress said. "The rain interfered a little Saturday. Sunday attendance was not as great as I expected ... Overall, I was pleased. The crowds were good Saturday."

Krista Nabors, a chef with The Healthy Gourmet Cooking Show, gives a cooking demonstration for a group of attendees during the 31st Annual Fort Scott Area Home and Garden Show on Saturday at Arnold Arena on the Fort Scott Community College campus. During the presentation, Nabors used waterless cookware made by Americraft. The show ran through Sunday afternoon. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

Cress added she did not have an estimate of the total number of visitors who attended the two-day event.

Businesses specializing in everything from heating and air conditioning to cooking and decorative items were on display.

About 25 different exhibitors from the area were featured at the event, which included door prizes, demonstrations and free samples, as well as a $10 prize every hour on the hour.

"It's better to give 10 people $10 than one person $100," Cress said.

Kenny Love, of Town and Country Pools in Garnett, said he has operated a booth at the event each year for the last five or six years.

"It keeps our name out there ... It's good advertising," he said.

Love said the business installs different types of in-ground and above-ground pools and provides service and supplies such as filters, nets and maintenance items.

Local resident Duane Bauer, an independent distributor for Reliv International Inc., a manufacturer of nutritional supplements based in Chesterfield, Mo., said this was the first year he has operated a booth at the event but the company's products have been featured in past years.

Bauer said the event was helpful in promoting the company's products. He attended to provide visitors with information on his firm's products and answer any questions.

"It's worked so well for me ... When you find something that helps you, you want to tell someone else," he said.

Some products are designed to help with such health issues as arthritis, high blood pressure and digestive problems, Bauer said.

Kacy Center, of Fort Scott, is a consultant for Pampered Chef, a company that offers a line of kitchen tools, food products and cookbooks. This was Center's first year running a booth

"I did it to help get my business up and help get families back together with the economy the way it is," she said.

Center said the supplies she sells help families get involved in preparing and cooking meals at home in about 30 minutes. She gives demonstrations in other people's homes on how to use a variety of cooking utensils, gadgets and other products they can order if they choose.

During the weekend event, Center said "everybody was friendly," and "several people asked questions," adding that she would consider participating next year.

Diane Meech, of Sassy Sisterz, a fashion jewelry and accessories business she started last fall, said this was also the first year she has taken part in the event and she did it "to get the business name out there."

All money raised through the Fort Scott Area Home and Garden Show goes toward PRIDE projects throughout the Fort Scott community.