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Building on great ideas at Lake Geneva Home Expo

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Ryan Jensen, 10, and Dylan Jensen, 6, get a close-up and hands-on look at masonry, learning how to build with brick, and using a level to verify the stability, at the Lake Geneva Home Improvement Expo last weekend. The event took place at the Grand Geneva, Feb. 16-17.

Bella Tile and Stone came with samples on hand to display some of the custom options clients can get for their homes. Bella Tile not only carries major tile brands, but has three artists to create custom works. Photos by Heather Noel Nelson.

LAKE GENEVA--The Lake Geneva Home Improvement Expo had it all last weekend, from educational seminars on home building, maintenance and decoration to a children’s workshop, a silent raffle and food samples from area restaurants. Even retired Green Bay Packers LeRoy Butler, Paul Hornung, Fuzzy Thurston and Jerry Kramer were on hand to sign autographs and meet with fans.

The show, held Feb. 16-17 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, was sponsored by the Lakeland Builders Association.

Organizers of the expo said more than 1,300 people attended the event.

“We had a 20 percent increase in attendance, an excellent expo,” said co-chair Jean Kruzan.

For some, the four Green Bay Packer players were a big draw.

“The football players were excellent and Mike McNeese from Famous Faces in Lake Geneva did a wonderful job getting them,” Kruzan said.

Other attendees looked to the free seminars as a way to get information on home building and remodeling.

Kruzan said the Taste of Lakes, booths with food samples, was very popular. “Holi Cannoli, Simple Bakery & Market and Hawk’s View all received rave reviews for the great job they did,” she said. “I don’t think we can ever do without the food — people really gravitated to it.”

LBA director Ann Pienkos said the organization is looking to present more expos in the future. “Our exhibitors did and excellent job this year; the booths looked exquisite; people were watching the video presentations with interest; and I think a lot of people came away with some great ideas for their own projects,” she said.

Check out more photos from the show in the Feb. 24 print or e-edition of Walworth County Sunday.