2023 Show Features

Craig Conover of Bravo's 'Southern Charm'

Craig Conover is a fan favorite on Bravo’s hit reality series, Southern Charm. Mocked during filming for his enthusiasm for sewing, Craig has turned his previous pastime into a full-time career with his co-founding of Sewing Down South: a growing southern-based sewing lifestyle brand. Don't miss Craig, appearing on Friday at 3pm and Saturday at 1pm! Click here for the complete Fresh Ideas Stage schedule.

CHEF VIVIAN HOWARD

Vivian Howard is an award-winning cookbook author, TV personality, chef and restaurateur. Her first cookbook, Deep Run Roots, is a New York Times bestseller. She created and stars in PBS' Somewhere South and A Chef’s Life, for which she has won Peabody, Emmy and James Beard awards. Vivian runs the restaurants Chef and the Farmer in Kinston, NC; Benny’s Big Time in Wilmington, NC; Handy & Hot and Lenoir, both in Charleston, SC. In October 2020, Vivian released her second cookbook, This Will Make It Taste Good: A New Path to Simple Cooking. This year, Vivian launched Viv’s Fridge-- a network of self-serve, smart-refrigerators stocked with next-level prepared meals from her kitchen at Chef and the Farmer. See Vivian live at the Fresh Ideas Stage on Saturday at 3pm! Click here for the complete Fresh Ideas Stage schedule.

The Design Studio by Home Revision

Immerse yourself in home remodeling inspiration at The Design Studio by Home Revision. Tour a living room, dining room, kitchen, and bath display featuring on-trend finishes and furnishings. Then create your own kitchen design mood board from samples at the selection studio, curated by local home renovators, Home Revision. There's even a crafty 'Demo Crew' area for kids of all ages to get hands-on as you consult with Home Revision's team of design-and-build experts. Located in the Exposition Center, featured in booth 2709.

Designed and Sponsored by:

Make It, Take It Plant Workshop

Ready to get your hands dirty? Need help with your houseplants? The experts from Urban Pothos Houseplant Shop will be at the show hosting a hands-on make and take terrarium project FREE of charge, plus demonstrating how to care for and troubleshoot common houseplant headaches.

Click here for the full workshop and demonstration schedule. Seating for the terrarium workshop is limited and first come, first serve. Located in the Jim Graham Building, booth 610.

Workshops and demonstrations provided in partnership with:

The Fresh Ideas Stage

Check out the lineup of celebrity and expert home improvement speakers we have presenting on our Fresh Ideas Stage, sponsored in part by Mitchell Heating & Cooling!  Take a seat and learn more about hot topics such as:  home organizing, remodeling, design and décor , gardening and more!  Located in the Jim Graham Building, booth 101. Click here for the complete listing of presenters, times, and topics!

A/V sponsored in part by Tech Factory Productions

FOOD TRUCKS & FUN COURTYARD

Fall calls for outdoor food and fun; we've got yard games and food trucks for your enjoyment! Visit the Food Trucks & Fun Courtyard located between the Expo and Graham buildings on Friday from 11am - 7pm, Saturday from 11am - 7pm and Sunday from 12pm - 5pm for local eats.

Check out the food truck links below for menus and check back for updates as we confirm vendors! Tents sponsored by King Canopy, yard games sponsored by Triangle Lawn Games, and picnic tables are available in the courtyard!

Friday Food Truck Lineup:
MoonRunners (BBQ) 11am-4pm only
Pana's Flavors (Latin)

Saturday Food Truck Lineup:
Flattz Food Truck (Gourmet Flatbread Sandwiches)
Pana's Flavors (Latin)

Sunday Food Truck Lineup:
Flattz Food Truck (Gourmet Flatbread Sandwiches)
Pana's Flavors (Latin)

From Tree to Table

See Oak City Customs highlight their sustainable process of transforming locally sourced, kiln dried urban lumber into custom, heirloom-quality projects and furnishings. Stop by booth 410 in the Graham building to see a fascinating step-by-step display of their "tree to table" process.

Ask A Master Gardener

Fall is here and there's plenty to do in the garden for the year ahead! Whether you're a novice gardener or an experienced green thumb, there's something new to learn each growing season. NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Wake County will be ready to take your questions in the Graham building, booth 733 They bring a mountain of resources to the show on native plants, bees, soil testing, and much more! Their experts will be speaking throughout the weekend on our Fresh Ideas Stage; click here for the schedule and plan your visit.

The Marketplace

Stop by The Marketplace and shop unique finds for your home and flavors for your pantry with gifts, spices, tea, sauces, gourmet treats, and more. The best part? Samples! Located in the Jim Graham Building.

NEW THIS SHOW

See something you love at the show? Now you can easily Save Your Favs and get more info! Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code in front of each booth to save the contact information for your favorite companies. It’s that easy!

Plus, when you scan 3 QR codes you qualify for 2 FREE tickets to our spring show!

HERO DAY

Hero Day is Friday, September 15. All active military personnel, veterans, fire, police, first responders, and healthcare workers receive free admission with a valid ID at the box office on Friday ONLY! 

TEACHERS ADMITTED FREE - ALL THREE DAYS!

As a back-to-school special, we have extended free admission for teachers to all three days of the show! We invite faculty and school staff to attend the show free of charge with valid ID at the box office. Thank you for everything you do for our children!

Nurse Day

Nurse Day is Sunday, September 17. Show your professional ID at the box office for free admission on Sunday ONLY. Thank you for your service to our communities!