"Family traditions and memories to last a lifetime are created at cottage and lakefront homes. We created an area for attendees to experience cottage living and pick up our 2009 Summer Cottage Reads,"

said Mike Wilbraham, show producer of ShowSpan, Inc. "Our second annual show is the preseason event that will help you find everything you need for your cottage and lakefront needs from building a Green cottage, reducing environmental impact, keeping a cottage in the family or finding the perfect cottage accessory."

The Cottage Living Center will feature a comfortable setting where showgoers can work on puzzles, get the free reading list or purchase the recommended cottage books and show t-shirts.

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.

An actual full size cottage home with a loft 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.

Michigan artists in the Whisper in the Woods fine art show are displaying nature, wildlife, Great Lakes landscape and lighthouse photography; woodcarvings; fine woodworking using Michigan hardwoods; three-dimensional topographical wood presentations of lakes; layered mixed media; wildlife paintings; aerial photography of Michigan lakes, islands, cities, bays and marinas; pencil and ink nature art; angling and sporting watercolors; and oil paintings for sale.

"Kayaking Adventures in Michigan" will be presented by travel writer and book author Jim DuFresne on the Cottage Living Stage highlighting trips for veterans who own their kayak or first timers who need guides, lessons and rental information. Cottage succession planning seminar will cover "Keeping the Family in the Family Cottage" by using trusts or corporations if families keep their cottage for several generations and avoiding increased property taxes upon transfers. Architect Michael Klement of Architectural Resource, LLC in Ann Arbor will address Green building, remodeling and home design for cottages and how energy and water usage, sustainable building techniques and indoor air quality can create a green cottage that performs significantly better than conventional homes. Other seminars will cover natural vegetative shorelines, environmentally sensitive lake practices with phosphorus-free fertilizers, alternatives to pesticides and natural cleaning agents, Great Lakes fur trade era historical reenactments, bird watching, nature photography and other ways to enjoy your cottage more.

Bio-engineering and bio-technical methods for stabilizing lake shorelines will be displayed by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan State Extension and Department of Natural Resources to encourage property owners and contractors to use the new soft and natural shoreline green technology. Information on other programs will also be available.

Cedar bead and cove strips will be placed over a wooden form as the building begins of a handcrafted lightweight, high performance wood-covered fiberglass custom boat by DreamCatcher BoatWorks of Grand Rapids, MI. The 11-foot "Little Auk Kayak" will weigh approximately 25 pounds when completed. The Michigan Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of historic boats will display a 1938, 1947 and 1950 Chris Craft, 1959 Slickcraft and 1957 Century boats.

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 in a garden setting will show how a cabin is put together.

Homeowners can consult with specialists in lake and pond management to identify the plant species around docks and beaches, take care of weeds and algae from small backyard ponds to large lakes, provide healthy environments for fish and plants, see muck and silt moving equipment and install decorative fountains or aerators to circulate water.

Exhibitors will feature custom, modular floating docks with integrated hardware for easy ramp and anchor connections in standard and custom dock sizes using traditional wood finishes that are combined with environmentally friendly technology. Docks, boat lifts, sea wall materials, vinyl sheet piling and weed rollers for lake bottoms also will be on display.

A new low cost alternative to dock replacement of a high performance vinyl surface that lies directly over wood or aluminum docks that are too hot, old or splintery will be exhibited. The dock surface is durable, safe, non-slip and has a soft feel to bare feet. Another option is recycled maintenance-free plastic decking used also for outdoor furniture, fences and pergolas.

Bob Lo Island Marina Resort Community of Amherstburg will have sales and rental information on their high-rise condominiums units, waterfront homes and townhomes. The Beach House at Lake Street of Holland will offer information on their cottage style townhomes located across from Lake Macatawa and nearby Holland State Park. Re/Max Sunrise will have information for Huron County buyers and sellers looking for lakefront, lake access, cottages, condominiums and single family homes. Buyers and sellers for north central and northwestern Lower Peninsula will find property listings at the Homewaters, LLC of Traverse City display.

Adding outdoor living space increases the usable space in your cottage.

Michigan BLUE Magazine is sponsoring a display with various options for do-it-yourselfers or contractor built created by landscape design and build company 3D Design Group of Brighton. 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.

# # # #