The RI Home Show is back to get you ready for spring. Here's what to know.
PROVIDENCE — The largest home improvement and ideas show in New England is back for a 73rd year.
The Rhode Island Home Show will be filling every square inch of the Rhode Island Convention Center, at 1 Sabin St., from Thursday, March 30, to Sunday, April 2. There will be a 10,000-square-foot ideas garden to explore, hundreds of home-related exhibitors and vendors, a specialty flower show, an energy expo and more.
“Come with an open mind, knowing that you're going to have the opportunity to talk to these amazing exhibitors that are not like a bunch of salespeople saying, ‘Hey, come into my booth. I want to sell you something,’” said Darren Jodoin, the spokesperson for the event. “It's not like that at all. This is a no-pressure environment.”
Here’s what you can expect from the 73rd annual Rhode Island Home Show.
What exhibits will be on display?
There are six main features to the show.
The Garden Experience: Themed “Enchanted Gardens,” the 10,000-square-foot space, designed by Central Nurseries, will include magical displays and unique playhouses. A special touch, the playhouses in the garden are being created in partnership with Rosemary’s Wish Kids, and they will be given to children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
The Energy Expo: The 10th expo put on by Rhode Island Energy (formerly National Grid), this exhibit explains how consumers can make their homes more energy efficient and get that much closer to being a zero-energy home.
The R.I. Specialty Flower Show: A chance to check out the floral culture of designers from across New England, this year’s theme is “Galleria — Living Artfully.”
The Inspiration Showcase: New to the show this year, this exhibit will have experts to answer designer questions. If you’re a DIY-er, this is a must-visit.
The Art of the Ocean State: Sponsored by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, this market will allow visitors to purchase art by Rhode Island artists at a reasonable price. It’s $35 for student artwork and $75 and $150 for Rhode Island artist pieces.
Home-related exhibitors and vendors: There will be more than 100 exhibitors, contractors and workshops with expertise in all aspects of home renovation, remodeling and repair.
Who is the show for?
The show is geared toward homeowners, but Jodoin emphasized that it’s valuable to anyone, including renters.
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“A home show makes sense for people that have a home, whether they’re renting or they own a home,” he said. “It’s beneficial for everyone. The reality is our show attracts all walks of life.”
Advice for navigating the show?
Arriving at the show, visitors will be offered a thick magazine that is the floor show program. This, Jodoin said, has everything visitors need to navigate the show easily.
If you want to make the most of the offered seminars, there is information in the program, but you can also look them up in advance at ribahomeshow.com if you want to do a little planning.
Finally, while it can be helpful to come with some ideas of what you’re looking to do at your home and target those particular exhibits, Jodoin said an open mind is key.
“You’ll get inspired,” he said.
Rhode Island Home Shows tickets, hours and parking
Tickets for the show are $12 per adult, $10 for seniors, and free for children 15 and younger. The tickets are good for all four days of the show, with a wristband for reentry.
Tickets can be purchased online at rihomeshow.com/info or at the door.
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A $2 coupon is available online.
The show hours are:
Thursday, March 30: noon – 9 p.m.
Friday, March 31: noon – 9 p.m.
Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, April 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parking is available at the R.I. Convention Center garage; LaSalle Square; Union Station parking; the Providence Place garage; and the Amica Mutual Pavilion garage.
Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect that it is not the first show since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The RI Home Show and Rhode Island Flower Show are back in 2023
