Medina Home & Garden Show honors U.S. history

Shoppers can browse, compare and save at the 39th annual Medina County Home & Garden Show on Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Medina County Community Center, 735 Lafayette Road, Medina.

Presented by Fixler Roofing, this year’s show will feature a red, white and blue tribute to America’s 250-year history.

The focal point of the Main Garden will be a 13-by-8-foot American flag created entirely of plants. Local artists will demonstrate colonial crafts, including spinning and weaving, finger pottery and leatherwork. A backyard front porch constructed of vintage doors also will be on display.

Medina resident John Burke will appear in full dress uniform portraying Revolutionary War Col. James Smith, who was captured and adopted by Native Americans during the French and Indian War and spent the winter of 1756 at Whipp’s Ledges in Hinckley. Smith later was commissioned as a colonel in the Revolutionary War and fought in three battles under Gen. George Washington.

To honor veterans, all veterans with military identification will be admitted free Sunday, March 1.

Attendees can meet home improvement and landscaping professionals and explore services ranging from flooring, fencing and roofing to kitchens, bathrooms, pools and tree care. In many cases, homeowners will speak directly with the contractor performing the work.

Throughout the weekend, local experts will present programs on the Presentation Stage, sponsored by Ohio State Waterproofing. Topics include “Cooking with Dandelions,” “Mastering the Perfect Crème Brûlée,” “Right Plant, Right Place – Ohio’s Native Plants,” “Daring Adventures of Women Patriots During the Revolutionary War” and “Don’t Trash It, Compost It.”

Rooted in Medina will sell fresh-cut flowers from the greenhouse in the Main Garden, and Master Gardener volunteers will be available to answer gardening questions.

Each attendee may enter the Grand Prize Drawing, sponsored by Home Genius Exteriors, for a chance to win prizes including a 6-by-8-foot backyard greenhouse, use of a Sharpe Container dumpster and an outdoor potting bench. Winners will be announced at 5 p.m. Sunday and need not be present.

Children can enjoy balloon creations by Tara the Flower Clown from noon to 3 p.m. each day. Pianist Duane Carlson will perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Swine BBQ will operate the kitchen, and Lily’s Lemonade will offer fresh-squeezed beverages.

The annual Amateur Backyard BBQ Cook-off, sponsored by Deck Creators, will be held outdoors on the north side of the building Saturday, with judging at 4 p.m. The entry fee is $10, and cash prizes and trophies will be awarded. For registration information, email medinahomegardenshow@gmail.com.

At the close of the show at 5 p.m. Sunday, plant materials in the Main Garden will be sold at below-wholesale prices.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 60 and older, and free for children 12 and younger. Parking is free.

For more information, visit medinahomeandgardenshow.com.

Saturday, Feb. 28

10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. – Finn’s Fickle Goods demonstrates leatherworking and offers a make-and-take activity, Main Garden.

11 a.m.–2 p.m. – Duane Carlson performs piano selections, Main Garden.

11 a.m. – Cooking with Dandelions, Presentation Stage. Michelle Sanfilippo, Medina County Herb Society. A cooking demonstration showcasing how dandelion greens can be transformed into a flavorful, nutrient-rich dish.

Noon–3 p.m. – Tara’s Amazing Balloon Creations.

Noon–3 p.m. – John Burke portrays Col. James Smith, Main Garden and roaming. Smith was captured during the French and Indian War and spent the winter of 1756 at Whipp’s Ledges in Hinckley. Commissioned as a colonel during the Revolutionary War, he fought in three battles under Gen. George Washington and helped build Fort Laurens in present-day Bolivar.

Noon – Mastering the Perfect Crème Brûlée, Presentation Stage. Karl Gerhard, “Cooking with Karl,” Medina Weekly News. A demonstration on preparing the classic dessert.

1 p.m. – How to Make Your Own Fresh Butter, Presentation Stage. Karl Gerhard demonstrates how to make fresh butter.

1:30–4:30 p.m. – Medina Spinning & Weaving Guild demonstration, Main Garden. Guild members demonstrate spinning and weaving on various wheels and looms.

2 p.m. – Right Plant, Right Place, Presentation Stage. Kimberly Carey and Peggy Koesel, OSU Master Gardener Volunteers. A discussion of Ohio native plants and the ecosystems they support.

3 p.m. – Daring Adventures of Women Patriots of the Revolutionary War, Presentation Stage. Kathy Kraus, colonial impersonator. Stories of women who served as spies, soldiers, homemakers and business owners during the Revolution.

Sunday, March 1

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. – Wheelhouse Studio demonstrates finger pottery with a make-and-take project, Main Garden.

Noon–3 p.m. – Duane Carlson performs piano selections, Main Garden.

Noon–3 p.m. – Tara’s Amazing Balloon Creations.

12:30–3 p.m. – John Burke portrays Col. James Smith, Main Garden and roaming.

1:30 p.m. – Spring Is for Splitting, Presentation Stage. Claudia Cihlar, OSU Master Gardener Volunteer. Learn how and when to divide perennials for healthy regrowth.

1:30–4:30 p.m. – Medina Spinning & Weaving Guild demonstration, Main Garden.

3:30 p.m. – Don’t Trash It, Compost It, Presentation Stage. Eric Hange, Medina Soil & Water Conservation District. Tips on composting kitchen and yard waste into healthy soil.