COTTAGE & LAKEFRONT LIVING SHOW TAKES CENTER STAGE AT ROCK FINANCIAL SHOWPLACE FEB. 26

NOVI, MI – February 26, 2009 – The second annual Cottage & Lakefront Living Show opens Feb. 26 and runs through March 1 at Novi’s Rock Financial Showplace.

“Walk through a full size decorated cottage, discover how a cabin is constructed, sculpt beach sand, and so much more,” said Mike Wilbraham, show producer of ShowSpan, Inc. “There’s fun for the whole family at this show.”

An actual full size cottage home that show goers can walk through will be built on the exhibit floor by Distinct Discovery Homes of Greenville, MI and will be fully decorated with custom cabinetry, appliances and furnishings.

Log and Timber Frame Showcase will feature the warmth and beauty of one of housings’ hottest trends. Displays will include post and beam cedar home packages, cedar siding, full logs, profiles, roof options, log species, floor plans and do-it-yourself or contractor built timber frame and cedar homes. A small log cottage home located in a lake and garden setting will show how a cabin is put together. “Cottage and lake living are wonderful experiences and we have professionals at the show that will help you get the most out of your life there,” said Wilbraham.

Sand Pirate Janet Schrader of Fairy Godmother Services in Lakeside, MI will build a giant medieval sandcastle, teach the art of sand sculpture from towers and stairs to doors and windows and host a sandcastle contest. Showgoers will have the opportunity to turn a pile of sand into sandcastles at The Beach, a giant sandbox complete with sand and carving tools.

“Kayaking Adventures in Michigan” will be presented by travel writer and book author Jim DuFresne on the Cottage Living Stage. Other seminars will cover green building, remodeling and home design for cottages by architect Michael Klement, natural vegetative shorelines, environmentally sensitive lake practices, cottage succession planning, Great Lakes fur trade era historical reenactments, morel hunting, bird watching, nature photography and other ways to enjoy your cottage more.

Facts on soft and non-structural natural approaches to shoreline stabilization and general information for cottages and lakefront properties will be available from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

The handcrafted building of a lightweight, high performance wood-covered fiberglass custom boat will be shown by DreamCatcher BoatWorks of Grand Rapids, MI.

Outdoor fireplaces and cooking options will be featured at the outdoor living space display sponsored by Michigan BLUE magazine.

Whisper in the Woods fine art show will feature Michigan artists’ nature and wildlife sculpture, photography, woodcarvings, watercolors and oil paintings for sale. Photos of cottage and lakefront living traditions can be viewed at the Water & Woods Photo Contest display.

Show exhibits cover every aspect of cottage and lakefront living for property owners and for those looking to buy, build or rent and include log, timber frame and cedar homes, cottage rentals, designers, cottage furnishings, lakefront homebuilders and realtors, lakeshore maintenance, boats and docks, outdoor recreational equipment, non-profit environmental organizations, government agencies, financing and other products and services. Tips, advice and knowledge on purchasing, planning, maintenance, financing and landscaping your cottage will be available from experts throughout the show.

The show is sponsored in part by Michigan BLUE magazine. Rock Financial Showplace is located on Grand River Avenue between Novi and Beck Road in Novi. Show hours are from 2 – 9:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10; $4 for children 6-14 and children 5 and under admitted free. Internet Express Tickets are offered online and come with a free pair of flip-flops. Free crossover admission from the Cottage & Lakefront Living Show to Outdoorama. On site parking is available for a fee. For more information, visit www.CottageAndLakefrontLiving.com or call (800) 328-6550.

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MEDIA NOTE: Releases and photos of products or services from the show can be e-mailed to you or are available at our Web site. Contact Nancy Rosen (248) 540-3197 or nancyr@showspan.com