AKRON HOME& GARDEN SHOW
FEB. 13-15, 2026
SHOW SPONSORS
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CONTENT
WELCOME
to the 32nd annual Akron Home & Garden Show, being hosted Feb. 13-15 at the John S. Knight Center. As we enter a new chapter with a change in leadership and organizations, we are excited to bring fresh energy, new ideas, and a renewed vision to this long-standing Akron tradition.
Over the past year, our team has worked diligently to connect Akron residents with the region’s highest-quality local vendors, while also reimagining the show as a community-centered experience. Our goal is to create an event that not only serves homeowners but also celebrates and invests in the entire Akron community and all that makes it a great place to live.
This year’s show, alongside our outstanding vendors and sponsors, features community-focused programming and initiatives, including a native plant garden presented by Summit Metro Parks, artists from Summit Artspace, a seminar on urban chicken farming and much more.
We hope you enjoy your time with us at the John S. Knight Center. Please share the experience with friends, and we look forward to welcoming you back for many years to come at the Akron Home & Garden Show.
Neil
Sudhakaran
Director
of Promotions BIA of Northeast Ohio and the Akron Home & Garden Show
URBAN CHICKEN FARMING
EXPERIENCE URBAN LIVESTOCK ONSTAGE SEMINARS.
FIND US AT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY MASTER GARDENERS BOOTH.
MAGGIE’S TOP FIVE TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED WITH URBAN FARMING
1Understand Urban Zoning Rules Before You Start
Zoning regulations govern what you can and cannot do in urban areas. Is it legal or not? The rules determine things like which, if any, livestock animals you can keep and whether beekeeping is allowed. Regulations vary by municipality, so always check the codes for your specific location. Even for a simple vegetable garden, zoning laws and building permit requirements can affect whether you can install a permanent fence or a shed. Make sure you know what is legal and understand the process of obtaining permits or permissions. You don’t want to invest in supplies only to find out your plans aren’t allowed. Your best source of information is your local government, but you can also search online law libraries for your area’s zoning code.
2Call Ohio 811 Before You Dig
Before planting a tree or preparing a large garden area, contact Ohio’s 811 service. Utility companies will come to your property and mark where underground lines are located. This simple step protects your utility lines and prevents accidents or injuries. Find more information at oups.org.
3Choose the Right Site for Your Farming Activities
Selecting a suitable location is essential for success. For a vegetable garden, look for a flat that receives six to eight hours of sunlight daily. Avoid spots shaded by nearby buildings or trees. Check your soil to ensure it isn’t compacted or contaminated — your local extension office can help with soil testing. After heavy rain, observe how the site drains to confirm that it does not hold water. If you can’t find land suitable for planting, consider container gardening or joining a community garden. For keeping chickens
or bees, you’ll need a flat, well-drained area. Placement is key — follow setback rules, but also choose a spot that’s easy to access because these activities require daily care.
4Connect with Community Gardens
If you’re new to gardening or interested in keeping bees or other livestock, start by reaching out to community gardens in your area. These spaces allow you to gain the hands-on experience of growing without making changes or investments in your own property.
Once you have learned the basics, you may decide to set up your own garden — or you might fall in love with community gardening and wonder why anyone does it differently! Community gardens are also excellent sources of education, funding opportunities and shared resources like tool libraries.
If you are interested in chickens or bees, ask the garden leader whether these activities are allowed or are already part of the garden. If they are, see if you can help.
5Get Comfortable with Ground Maintenance
Grass and weeds may not be the crops you’re aiming to grow — but managing them is essential for the success of the plants you do want. Regularly cutting grass around gardens, coops or hives improves access and helps control weeds and pests. Tall grass and brush can harbor pests ranging from beetles to groundhogs, so it’s important to maintain a clear area around your farming area. Some gardeners use wood chips to suppress grass and weeds around raised beds, coops or hives. Whatever ground cover you choose, understand the maintenance it requires — it will become a routine part of your practice. Additionally, removing wild tree saplings is an important annual task, as they can quickly grow too large to pull easily.
For more than 30 years, the Akron Home & Garden Show has been a cornerstone event at the John S. Knight Center, bringing homeowners, exhibitors and industry experts together in the heart of downtown Akron. Hosting events like this at the Knight Center is vital because it serves as a catalyst for connection, innovation and economic growth.
The Knight Center is designed to support events of all sizes, providing a professional and welcoming environment that enhances the experience for both attendees and exhibitors. The Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau plays a vital role in supporting events at the Knight Center by connecting planners with local resources, promoting Akron and Summit County as a destination and ensuring a seamless experience from planning through execution. Their expertise helps events grow year after year, benefiting both organizers and the community.
The impact extends well beyond the show floor. Large-scale events like the Akron Home & Garden Show generate significant economic benefits for downtown Akron — filling hotels, supporting local restaurants, shops and attractions and creating a ripple effect that strengthens the local economy. Longstanding partnerships such as this one demonstrate how collaboration and consistency can drive lasting success for downtown and Summit County. We look forward to providing a wonderful experience for exhibitors and guests, and we hope to welcome the Akron Home & Garden Show to downtown Akron for many years to come.
SHOW SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13 / 11:00am-8:00pm
STAGE HOURS PRESENTER
11:30-12:20pm Ask a Master Gardener with The Ohio State University Master Gardeners
12:30-1:20pm Summit Metro Parks / Planning Your Wild Backyard
1:30-2:20pm Ask a Master Gardener with The Ohio State University Master Gardeners
2:30-3:20pm Dog Training Essentials with Sit Means Sit
3:30-4:20pm Dog Training Essentials with Sit Means Sit
4:30-5:20pm Carter Lumber / Flooring with Happy Feet
5:30-6:20pm Carter Lumber / Flooring with Happy Feet
6:30-7:20pm Ask a Master Gardener with The Ohio State University Master Gardeners
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 / 11:00am-8:00pm
STAGE HOURS PRESENTER
11:30-12:20pm How to start you Urban Chicken Farm with OSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator Maggie Rivera
12:30-1:20pm Story Hour with Ariel - Princess Readings at the Akron Home & Garden Show
1:30-2:20pm Story Hour with Cinderella - Princess Readings at the Akron Home & Garden Show
2:30-3:20pm Summit Metro Parks / Supporting Nature with Native Plants in Your Yard
3:30-4:20pm Carter Lumber / Flooring with Happy Feet
4:30-5:20pm Carter Lumber / Flooring with Happy Feet
5:30-6:20pm Dog Training Essentials with Sit Means Sit
6:30-7:20pm Ask a Master Gardener with The Ohio State University Master Gardeners
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 / 11:00am-5:00pm
STAGE HOURS PRESENTER
11:30-12:20pm Summit Metro Parks / Landscaping with Edible Plants
12:30-1:20pm Dog Training Essentials with Sit Means Sit
1:30-2:20pm Ask a Master Gardener with The Ohio State University Master Gardeners
2:30-3:20pm Ask a Master Gardener with The Ohio State University Master Gardeners
3:30-4:20pm Dog Training Essentials with Sit Means Sit
COMPANY
FAMILY-OWNED SINCE 2000
From the Miller family and the craftsmen at Millcraft Barns: We have worked long and hard to accomplish a dream of ours, and that dream is to build a company with value. This value reflects our conviction and commitment to Jesus Christ. This value expresses itself in the work of our hands. This value will work for you and work for generations.
The Millcraft story began in October 2000 with the vision of a family business — a business that would allow Mark to work side by side with his now seven sons and one daughter. Millcraft started as a hardwood furniture manufacturing company, which continued to grow steadily over the years. Later, it took the next step into shed manufacturing. The quality you see in our buildings today is a product of the history we have in the fine furniture industry, where you have no choice but to pay close attention to detail.
Today, Millcraft is staffed by our family, church and local community, with a passion to be a blessing to everyone we do business with. If there is one thing that makes us happy, it is to have our customers 110 percent satisfied!
OUR VALUES
Where imagination becomes reality
At Carter Lumber, we take the worrying out of planning everything for your dream kitchen or bathroom, from the smallest to the most important details.
Purchasing a kitchen is a decision that you will live with every day for decades. Our expert designers have years of experience remodeling these important spaces into the most functional and enjoyable in your home.
Visit us at booth 613 to get started on turning your dream kitchen into a reality.
@carterkandb
@carterkitchenandbath
