MARQUETTE — From March 6-8, the U.P. Builder’s show will once again be held inside the Superior Dome, this year with some new additions.

The show is put on by the Homebuilder’s Association of the Upper Peninsula, which is a nonprofit trade association which supports the residential building industry in the area.

The show is a big event in the area; last year’s show pulled in over 3,500 attendees.

“It’s the kickoff for spring,” said Sarah Foster, CEO of the HBA of the U.P. “When the builder show happens, that means spring is coming.”

The Builder’s Show is a gathering of realtors, financers, home insurers, roofers, builders, plumbers, furniture manufacturers, landscapers, and anyone else involved in the construction and home industries. There will even be two sauna companies at this year’s show.

Foster says that this wide array of vendors is the main reason why the Builder’s Show is so popular.

Under typical circumstances, “it can be pretty daunting if you have a list of people to talk to about home remodels,” said Foster. “If you want to get quotes from multiple people, that’s driving around to all those businesses. At the Builder’s Show they have their products there and you can talk face to face. You’re not on the phone, talking to a robot. You’re shaking hands and talking to someone in person.”

This year, the U.P. Builder’s Show is adding a new section this year called the “Builder Show Marketplace,” featuring smaller vendors that one might find at a typical craft show. There is also an area of the show for kids, and several scheduled demonstrations of different available products.

General admission to the show costs $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and kids twelve and under are free. Saturday night is “ladies night” and is free for women from 3 to 6 p.m. There will also be special raffles during this time.

“It’s a one-stop-shop and it will save you a lot of money,” said Foster. “Just come and walk around; even if you’re not remodeling it might give you ideas for years to come.”

More information can be found at buildersshow.org.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.