What's brewing this year at the Rhode Island Home Show? Craft beer and more

Susan McDonald

PROVIDENCE – Paint swatches litter a table, worn spots on rugs remind you they need replacing and your conscience begs you to consider energy-efficient home upgrades. Plus, spring is here and the yard is a mess.

Sound familiar? Imagine having home-related dilemmas addressed and then rewarding yourself with a cold craft beer. It’s possible at the 74th annual Rhode Island Home Show, which runs April 4-7 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. With an entire floor packed with experts in home décor, gardening, home improvement and renewable energy, the show has “something for everybody,” says John Marcantonio, CEO of the Rhode Island Builders Association, the show's sponsor.

“About 10 years ago, we wanted to expand the show and become more of a Rhode Island event for small businesses to display their products,” Marcantonio says.

The Home Show absorbed the annual spring flower and garden show several years ago, and organizers are always innovating, he says. Last year, they added an Inspiration Showcase for people needing guidance choosing fabrics, furniture or paint colors. This year, Marcantonio's love of craft beers prompted collaboration with the Rhode Island Brewers Guild and creation of the House of Brews to showcase 16 of the state’s breweries.

New this year at the Rhode Island Home Show is the House of Brews, showcasing 16 of the state’s craft breweries.
New this year at the Rhode Island Home Show is the House of Brews, showcasing 16 of the state’s craft breweries.

“The brewers add to the overall experience of the show,” Marcantonio says.

And, he says, attending the Home Show is a wide-ranging experience, with displays, seminars and more than 250 vendors with the expertise, products and services to improve your home and yard.

“We know people tend to make decisions about their homes over the long term,” he says. “We create a comfortable atmosphere where they build relationships with vendors, so when they’re ready they know who to turn to.”

What specialty areas will you find at the Rhode Island Home Show?

Walking through the Convention Center, you’ll find five shows in one:

  • Energy Expo. You can talk with representatives of Rhode Island Energy and the state Office of Energy on how to create a zero-energy home or shift gears to an electric vehicle.

  • Garden Experience. Created by Central Nurseries, this 10,000-square-foot area bursts with spring. Walk under a canopy of trees and among magical playhouses built by local students for children with life-threatening conditions.

  • Specialty Flower Show. Beyond gardens are artistic displays coordinated by the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs and inspired by the state’s quaint villages and waterways.

  • Inspiration Showcase. Experts are ready to answer your questions about feng shui, DIY projects gone awry or home organization strategies. You’ll find an idea generator to help move a project along, a selection of beautiful furniture and demonstrations by the area’s talented chefs.

  • House of Brews. “After a long day in the yard or putting the finishing touches on a special project, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a craft beer at home, especially when it’s Rhode Island made,” said Nils Weldy, executive director of the Rhode Island Brewers Guild.

Home Show details

Location: Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin St., Providence.

Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, April 4 and 5; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 6; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 7.

Tickets: $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; free for ages 15 and under. Getting a bracelet at the exit allows reentry for the duration of the show.

Info: ribahomeshow.com

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 2024 Rhode Island Home Show preview: Craft beer showcase and more

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