Canton Home Expo Draws Nearly 5,000, Sets Saturday Record

Canton Township's 10th annual Home Expo is officially a success, according to township building official  John Weyer.

Overall attendance was "right on target" with 4,963 visitors -- the show typically draws close to 5,000, he said Monday afternoon, but visitors on Saturday set a record.

"Saturdays we usually see between 2,500 and 3,000," he said. This year, But year 3,307 were counted. "We're real pleased."

The township dedicated space throughout Summit on the Park for the event, which features 122 vendors.

Jim and Pat Tait of Canton said they found plenty of interesting booths to visit.

“I came with my husband because he was interested in talking to some people about home remodeling, someone who could do family rooms,” Pat Tait said. “But I also talked to the people at Evola Music about possibly trading in my baby grand. They have one that’s smaller than mine, plus it’s got the digital recorder.”

Denise Walsh, president of Richter & Associates, a property management company with offices in Northville and Brighton, said she was pleased with the traffic. She was promoting two other companies as well: Milestone Realty Group and Expert Home Maintenance, handing out brochures, magnets and pens, as well as advice to visitors. Participating in Canton’s annual Home Expo is, she said, “good, to get your name out there.”

Canton Township has showcased municipal services with booths for its police, fire and municipal services departments. Gary Opoka and Roy Hamilton, both utility inspectors for the township’s engineering services department, promoted recycling awareness and answered homeowners’ questions about variety of issues.

“One lady yesterday asked us how to get a stray cat out from under her porch,” Opoka said. “We don’t have an animal control department – that’s handled by the county – but we made some suggestions.”

Weyer said prizes, such as Rapid Home Improvement raffling off one free 1 KW solar energy system worth $12,000, were good draws and vendors told him the show helped make good connections for possible jobs.

"I'm sure there are some very happy people out there right now," he said.