Normally, when one thinks of March Madness, the NCAA basketball tournament comes to mind. All of the excitement and hoopla that goes with it creates a month-long buzz.
However, this year, all of the March buzz is going to be associated with homes, new homes and everything you need for homes.
The annual Spring Parade of Homes runs from March 5 through March 27 this year. Due to popular demand, an additional week was added to the Spring Parade. It seems it just wasn't possible to hit all the homes people wanted to see in only two weeks.
The Spring Parade has grown so much in recent years it is practically the same size as the Fall Parade. This year, there are 95 homes entered in the Parade, presented by 37 builders in 26 subdivisions.
Watch for your Parade magazine in a couple of weeks in the Winnipeg Free Press and at Steinbach Credit Unions. Stay tuned for information about exciting new features that are being added in this year's Parade.
Also in March, immediately after the Spring Parade of Homes, is the Home Expressions Home and Garden Show at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. This is the largest consumer trade show in the city and features hundreds of exhibitors on all three floors of the convention centre.
Home Expressions starts on Thursday, March 31 and runs through Sunday, April 3. Whether you are looking at improving your home, yard, deck, garden or cottage, everything you need will be on display at the Home Expressions Show.
As a special bonus associated with Home Expressions this year, we are proud to present Mike Holmes, star of HGTV's Holmes on Homes. Mike will be speaking on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, sharing his insights and direct approach with what undoubtedly will be a sold-out venue.
Your ticket to see Holmes also gets you into the Home Expressions Show. Tickets are available at TicketMaster and RONA outlets.
With all of the home-related information you will be able to gather in March, you will be an expert in selecting your new home or making your current home look that much better. Then you can relax and watch that other March Madness final game on April 4.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
