Between two large bottles of hand sanitizer, Times-Republican Publisher Abigail Pelzer said extra precautions were in place to assure safety. Aside from clean hands, those who were sick or had been traveling to impacted areas were asked not to enter. Still, more than 200 people walked through the doors during the first 90 minutes of the show which was held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“The Home and Garden Show brings vendors from in and outside of Marshalltown to one location to show what they offer as it relates to home and garden needs,” said Malette Glader, a sales rep the T-R advertising department. “We have 32 vendors that have come to the Roundhouse, which is a bright new location with a great square display area with seating which allowed us to bring in Smoking G’s and Maria’s Tacos to offer food.”

Advertising representative Lynne Guldager, echoed those comments.

“We are very excited about being in our new venue. It gives a whole different look and feel to our annual show. Several people I have talked to said that this was their first time inside the Roundhouse — even though they had lived in Marshalltown for years,” Guldager said. “We have a great variety of vendors and even though we are not a big city … I feel that we can draw a crowd in which the vendors can have more one-on-one contact with the patrons and have more interaction,” she said.

Janiene McCarthy and Tim Holmes of DJ Country Tours watch as visitors to the home and garden show sign up for door prizes.

Matt Johnson representing Dave Wright Automotive said he feels the Home Show is a gathering which gives people an opportunity to see what is available in the area and helps business representatives get to know more people.

“In Central Iowa homeowners always need hearing, cooling and ventilation systems, and Kapaun & Brown has been here for 45.5 years and has attended many home shows,” owner Bryan Brown said. “We are your local Lennox Premier Dealer, and live up to our motto, ‘Quality is a Promise.'”

He added the new location adds a new atmosphere to the always popular show.

Tim Holmes, driver and representative of CIT Transportation in Ames and Janine McCarthy, Tour Director for DJ Country Tours of Conrad, greeted people for the first time at the show.

“I love being out in the community and have people get to know us and see that our tours are a fun thing for area residents to participate in,” McCarthy said.

Trisha Wilder, director of the Cartwright downtown farmer’s marker stands behind the table of a very spring-like and colorful booth during the home and garden show.

Another first time vendor was American Greenscapes of Marshalltown, which offers landscaping design yard cleaning and large flower pot arrangements. Their reason for attending the home and garden show was to get their products out in front of the public.

“We have repeat as well as new vendors and expect a good turnout, despite the weather and coronavirus threat. We were assured by the health department that it was safe to hold the event and are happy to see people coming to enjoy the show,” Glader said.

“The Concrete King” LeRoy Morford talks with visitors to the home show at his booth.

One of the many booths at the 2020 Home and Garden show sponsored by the Times-Republican on March 14.