Watch any home remodeling or house hunting show on HGTV, and chances are the husband or boyfriend on the program will express a desire for one thing: a man cave. Superman has the Fortress of Solitude, He-Man has Castle Greyskull, and Modern Man has the Man Cave, a place of seclusion from the stressors of life and a haven of entertainment. The best man caves can double as a family amusement center, as long as the primary resident is willing to allow the members of his clan into his sacred dwelling.
With the popularity of the man cave on the rise, it stands to reason that one of the biggest home shows in the Tri-State region would embrace the concept at its annual event, taking place February 24-26 at the Chattanooga Trade and Convention Center.
Each year, the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga tries to bring something new and exciting to its Tri-State Home Show, and this year, it’s the man cave.
From a pool table, to arcade games, to pinball machines, to a big screen TV, to furniture tailored to appeal to men, the man cave display promises to have everything a male member of the human species could want in one room.
When visitors are done drooling over the man cave, they can take in the rest of the show, which will consist of more than 450 booths containing a comprehensive array of products and services.
Homeowners looking to redesign the exterior of their home will be able to talk with landscaping experts and browse mock displays of designs for their yards. Enterprising visitors will even be able to bring photos of their lawn on their iPad or laptop and get professional advice for transforming their turf and increasing their curb appeal.
With spring around the corner, patios, decks, swimming pools and grilling equipment will also be making a big splash at this year’s show. For homeowners who don’t have the time or expertise to remodel a patio or install a swimming pool, the upcoming show can serve as a resource for establishing contact with quality builders and contractors who can do the work.
This will be true for all of the needs a homeowner might have. From painters, to electricians, to plumbers, to roofers, to companies that specialize in pest control, security, insulation and windows, the Tri-State Home Show will cover every base.
Moving from the exterior to the interior of the house, the Tri-State Home Show will have enough products and services on display to fill two or even three days of browsing. From kitchens, to bathrooms, to bedrooms, to closets, the show will have something for every nook and cranny of a home.
One of the hallmarks of the Tri-State Home Show is the display of products on the cutting edge of technology and design. This year’s show will be no different. For example, Whirlpool will be on hand with its latest stainless steel kitchen appliances, and will be giving away a complete set that includes a refrigerator, a dishwasher and a double oven with a stovetop.
There will be other giveaways for freebie hounds to sniff out, including a locally made wooden garage door, a children’s playhouse worth six grand and more.
While activities for children will be taking place throughout the show, kids who come on Saturday will be able to meet characters from the “Star Wars” universe from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The 46th Tri-State Home Show will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 24 and 25, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 26. The cost is seven dollars per ticket, with children 16 and under getting in for free. The organizers of the show will be donating a portion of the proceeds to Habitat for Humanity and local Red Cross tornado victims.
Seniors will get two dollars off on February 24, while everyone who brings a can of food on Feb. 25 and 26 will get one dollar off. The organizers of the show will be giving all of the donated food to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
Visit www.hbast.org for more.