Right at Home
BUTLER TWP — The widely varying products and services of the exhibitors — not the coronavirus — was on the minds of locals Friday afternoon as they visited the ninth annual Butler County Home Show.
The three-day event at the Family Sports Center on Evans City Road this weekend saw masked consumers walking among booths hawking everything from moonshine and gourmet baked goods to windows and rodent control.
Candy Kunder of Zelienople had to tend to an animal transport as a volunteer at the Butler County Humane Society, so she grabbed a friend and dropped in to see what the home show had to offer.
“I need a porch replaced, so I'm looking for concrete work, but it's more just to see what Butler County is doing,” Kunder said.
Elaine Hockenberger of Jackson Township joined Kunder for a spin around the home show in the interest of spending money locally.
“I live in Butler County, so I like to do business in Butler County,” Hockenberger said. “We live where it would be very convenient to go to Allegheny County, but we would prefer to keep our business in our own community.”
Pat Bowser of Center Township came to the home show looking for a mirror for her house, but enjoyed checking out all the exhibitors.
“I've been to the Pittsburgh show,” Bowser said. “It's my first time here and it seems very nice.”
Bowser said the home show is a great place to get ideas for home improvements from many vendors who are all in one place.
“It saves people trips to Pittsburgh to see things like this,” Bowser said.
Fred and Nancy Engle of Butler Township live in a home that is 42 years old, and they walked around the home show to see what the latest improvements and services are.
Because Fred installed a water heater in the home's basement, the couple is considering a shower on that level.
The Engles, who have been married for 53 years, mainly enjoyed spending time together.
“We can have fun doing nothing,” Nancy said.
She added that the home show is a good economic driver for Butler County. “It gives people a good concept of what is available at their fingertips,” Nancy said.
All those visiting the home show are required to wear masks and practice social distancing, and enter and exit in specific areas.
The home show's additional hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Family Sports Center at 542 Evans City Road in Butler Township.
