For Immediate Release Contact: Andrew Alt, Publicist (616) 458-8493
e-mail: andrewa@showspan.com
Mike Wilbraham, Show Producer
Carolyn P. Alt, Show Manager
(616) 447-2860
www.CottageandLakefrontLiving.com
Third Annual Cottage & Lakefront Living Show, March 27 – March 29
Summer in The Great Lakes State is all about spending time on the water! Start your dreaming and planning now, as the only show in West Michigan devoted entirely to cottages and homes on water returns to DeVos Place March 27th to the 29th.
This is the Show for everyone looking to rent, buy, build, improve, or simply to enjoy a home on the water. It’s the only show that features products, services, and special presentations covering every aspect of the “Cottage Lifestyle.”
You’ll find architects and designers; lakefront builders, developers, and realtors; cedar and log home builders; boats, docks, and lifts; home furnishings; landscaping and home improvement businesses, and hundreds of other goods and services.
Plus, the Show offers free seminars, special events, contests and giveaways.
Two Unique Cottages
Constructing complete cottages inside DeVos Place is fast becoming a tradition at this Show! This year Rockford-based Barn Cats has converted a salvaged barn into a cool, rustic cottage. And Distinct Discovery Homes of Greenville returns to showcase a beautiful fully furnished bungalow, complete with electricity, top-of-the-line appliances, custom cabinets, and more. Want a fun behind-the-scenes look at how they do it? Go to: http://showspan.com/CLG/WatchVideo.aspx See four days of work in a 7-minute time-lapse video!
“Monroe Street Beach” and Sand Pirates
No need to wait till summer – come hit the beach in downtown Grand Rapids! Our awesome indoor beach is the perfect way to get your sand fix. Visit with expert sand sculptor Janet Moore Schrader of Sand Pirates as she builds an incredible castle, and get tips and tricks you can use when you enter the sand castle building contest on Saturday! On Sunday, kids are invited to help Schrader “storm the castle” when she reminds everyone that the best part of building a sand castle is destroying it! So kick off your shoes and join her on Monroe Street Beach each day during the Show.
Michigan Cornhole
Cornhole is a friendly backyard game played with beanbags, that is sort of a combination of horsehoes and Skee-ball. Stop by Michigan Cornhole’s booth and try it for yourself. Everyone who does gets a free pair of flip-flops (while supplies last) just for having a little fun!
Whisper In The Woods Art Show
This full-scale art fair has become one of the Show’s central attractions. This year acclaimed Traverse City-based nature journal Whisper In The Woods hosts 14 of Michigan’s very best nature and wildlife artists showing original works. Artists include Anita Sams (colored pencil & watercolor); photographs by Ron Niehoff, Steve Huyser-Honing, Dallas Carlson, and others; fine woodworking by Lisa Ramlow and Brent Freed; and many more. Don’t miss this incredible show within a show!
Cottage Succession Planning Seminars
Rockford attorney David Fry is one of the country’s original specialists in cottage succession planning. His seminar, “Keeping the Family in the Family Cottage” will explain the most effective strategies for families to retain a cottage for use by future generations. Make your family cottage a place of relaxation, not a source of anxiety, for its present – and future – owners.
More Free Expert Seminars
Our line-up of terrific seminars is designed to help you make the most of your waterfront living experience. Whether you rent or own, whether your time on the water is a few days or year-round, we have seminars for you!
Buy it for Love, Rent it for Keeps – Anita Smith, Simply Like Home
Wildlife Sketching – Michael Monroe, Wildlife Artist
Watching the Birds From Your Window – Melanie Good, Grand Rapids Audubon
Nature Photography at your Cottage – Dallas Carlson, His Handiwork Photography
Landscaping or Lakescaping?
Protecting and Restoring Your Shoreline – MI Dept of Environmental Quality
Cottage Living Center
With so much to see and do, many visitors will appreciate the chance to take a load off at the Cottage Living Center. Relax in a comfy chair, work on a group jigsaw puzzle, check out a summer reading list and maybe buy some of the recommended books, pin your cottage on the wall map and see if anyone else from your lake has visited – what would this show be without a place to kick back a little?
Demonstrations by Master Craftsmen
Witness modern examples of timeless skills as master craftsmen transform raw materials into completely functional works of art! Watch as expert boatwrights build beautiful wooden vessels at the booths of both Dreamcatcher Wooden Boats and C Fox Wood Boat School. And the folks at Stump and Twigs will create fantastic rustic furniture in their booth before your very eyes!
Water & Woods Photography Contest
Photographers and visitors alike love this contest! Once again we’ve received hundreds of wonderful photos that capture the essence of cottage or lakefront living. The Top 10 Finalists will be displayed at the Show, where visitors can vote for their favorite. The winning photographer receives a $1600 Kymco Motor Scooter from Ada Bike Shop!
For more information visit www.CottageandLakefrontLiving.com.
Discount coupons available at area Wendy’s locations.
Dates & Times Admission
Friday, March 27 3pm - 9pm Adults: $9.00
Saturday, March 28 10am - 9pm Children (6 – 14): $4.00
Sunday, March 29 11am - 5pm 5 & Under: Free
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