Statement issued Thursday by BPS Marketing Inc.:

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The 39th annual Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show, the largest consumer event in Indiana’s Tri-State area, is the perfect place to find the latest home and garden ideas and products to make your home springtime ready.

This year’s show takes place Thursday, March 1 through Sunday, March 4 at the Allen County Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Avenue. Show hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

For nearly 40 years, over 41,000 visitors - including gardeners, decorators and do-it-yourselfers – have discovered unique ways to reinvent their humble abode through hundreds of experts all under one roof.

“The show creates an environment that invites you to escape your home to indulge in thousands of fragrant blooms and breathtaking landscapes, while learning more about how to enhance your everyday living,” said Karen Tejera, executive show producer and president of Fort Wayne Shows, Inc.

During the four-day expo, showgoers can listen to more than a dozen arborists and Purdue University Horticulture educators as they discuss topics like perennials, shrubs, herbs, hydrangeas, rain barrels, lawn care and container gardening on the popular Master Gardener Stage.

Additional show features include:

•Garden Gallery. Breathe in the fresh aromas of spring, gaze at magnificent landscapes and shop for unique garden accessories in the expanded Garden Gallery, sponsored by Indiana Gardener Magazine. Outdoor enthusiasts can learn more about morel mushroom hunting and recipes from Alex Babich, who will take the stage at 2 p.m. March 1-3 and 1 p.m. March 4.

In addition, self-proclaimed “grillologists” Mad Dog & Merrill, hosts of the hit TV series Mad Dog & Merrill’s Midwest Grill’n, will teach guests how to master the grill and entertain in the backyard with a comedic twist. Appearances are noon, 3 and 7 p.m. March 1-3, and noon and 3 p.m. March 4.

•FREE antique appraisals! Dr. Lori, familiar to viewers of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Discovery Channel’s Auction Kings, will bring her “Antique Appraisals’ Comedy Tour” to Fort Wayne, brought to you by PBS39. She will share tips on how to sell collectibles for top dollar and track down the best bargains, all while making you laugh at 1:30 and 5 p.m. March 1-2 and 1 and 4 p.m. March 3. Each guest of the show will receive one free appraisal, per day.

•“Wall Wizard.” Showgoers are invited to experience and learn home improvement tips, tricks and techniques from best selling author Brian Santos, also known as "The Wall Wizard.” The 25-year interior contractor, chemist and educator will step guests through the real science, magic and myths of home design and decoration. Catch his painting and wallpaper secrets at noon, 4 and 7:30 p.m. March 1-2, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. March 3, and noon and 3 p.m. March 4.

•Fun for the whole family. Youngsters will jump with joy when they have a chance to tour the “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory” themed kids area alongside oompa-loompas! Kids can enter a “golden ticket” giveaway and the popular movie will be awarded to one lucky winner every day of the show. Families will also find balloon art, face painting, crafts, martial art demonstrations, Science Central and the Fort Wayne Children’s Ballet at the Family Fun & Activity Place, sponsored by WLDE.

•Animals galore! Throughout the show, the Allen County SPCA will have pets available for adoption while the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo presents the Zoomobile. Indiana Wild will feature “Alligator Aaron” and a wide array of exotic animals—alligators, hedgehogs, snakes and more, as part of its animal conservation education program as well.

•Giving back to the community. Grab a canned good from the pantry and use it to receive an extra $1 off admission March 1-2 only. All food donations benefit Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana.

“Guests will find a sense of adventure at the show!” Tejera exclaimed. “It’s a great way to develop ongoing relationships with local businesses and at the same time, gives you the tools you need to tackle projects both in and out of the home.”

Facts and figures

The Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show is a member of the National Home & Garden Show Series™ presented by DISH Network and sponsored by American Family Insurance. The National Home & Garden Show Series ™ consists of 30 premier home and garden shows that take place annually in cities throughout North America.

The Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show runs Thursday, March 1 through Sunday, March 4 at the Allen County Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Avenue, Fort Wayne. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Advance sale tickets are available online for $8 from Ticketmaster after Feb. 1, 2012.

Log on www.home-gardenshow.com to download a special $2 off coupon after Feb. 1, 2012.

Admission is $10 at the door for adults, or $8 with a coupon available on the show’s website or in pre-show advertising.

Seniors age 65 and over are $6 every day with no other discounts offered.

Children 15 and under are free.

Bring a canned good March 1-2 only, and receive an additional $1 off admission, in addition to the $2 off coupon. All food donations benefit Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana.

Main entrance to the show is off Coliseum Boulevard at the stoplight. Guests also can choose to enter off of Parnell Avenue near the ticket office. Parking is $4 in Coliseum-owned lots.

A limited number of wheelchairs will be available at the show free-of-charge on a first come first served basis. The show is barrier-free for the physically challenged.

For additional information, call 260.432.1705 or 800.695.5288, or log on www.home-gardenshow.com.