Cottage & Lakefront Living Show Opens February 25 in Novi

The third annual Cottage & Lakefront Living Show returns to Rock Financial Showplace in Novi Feb. 25 through Sunday, Feb. 28 with information, experts and exhibits for vacation homeowners as well as those in the market to buy, build or rent.

Exhibits include log, timber frame and cedar homes, cottage rental, designers, cottage furnishings, lakefront homebuilders and realtors, lakeshore maintenance, boats and docks, outdoor recreational equipment, non-profit environmental organizations, government agencies, financing and other products and services. Ideas to increase your outdoor living space are incorporated in the landscape displays of fireplaces, cooking options, patios, decks and gardening products.

A full size cottage built at the show by Distinct Discovery Homes of Greenville, Mich. and decorated with custom cabinetry, appliances and furnishings will be open for attendees to walk through.

The Log and Timber Frame Showcase will include how a cabin is constructed, floor plans, profiles, roof options, log species, cedar siding, full logs, post and beam and do-it-yourself or contractor built home packages.

Sand Pirate Janet Schrader of Fairy Godmother Services in Lakeside, MI. will share the secrets of sand as she builds a giant medieval sandcastle, teaching how to make towers, doors, windows and stairs and hosting a sandcastle contest. The Beach, a giant sandbox complete with sand and carving tools for creative building by children and adults, will allow you to join the fun and turn a pile of sand into a sand sculpture.

Michigan artists at the Whisper in the Woods fine art show will present decorative and functional sculpture, photography, woodcarvings, watercolors and oil paintings for sale based on nature and wildlife.
Cottage succession planning, kayak demonstrations, green building, cottage remodeling and design, environmentally sensitive lake practices, bird watching, nature photography and other ways to enjoy your cottage more will be explained by the Cottage Living Stage experts.

Pure Michigan’s Photography Classes will be taught by professional photographer Kimberli Bindschatel covering photo design and composition, tricks of the trade, digital photo boot camp and new horizons of photography to improve digital photo skills (additional charge and registration required).

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will provide the facts on soft or non-structural natural approaches to shoreline stabilization and general information for cottages and lakefront properties.

DreamCatcher BoatWorks of Grand Rapids, Mich. will use handcraft building techniques on a lightweight, high performance wood-covered fiberglass custom boat.

Cottage Living Center will give you the opportunity to relax and work on a community puzzle, put a pin in our oversized Michigan map to show where your cottage is located or read a book selected from the 2010 Essential Cottage Reading List provided by Horizon Books of Traverse City.

The Water & Woods Photo Contest Display will allow you to view photos that depict cottage and lakefront living traditions.

Rock Financial Showplace is located at 46100 Grand River Ave. between Novi and Beck Road in Novi. Show hours are from 2 – 9:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10; $4 for children 6-14 and children 5 and under admitted free. Discount coupons for $2 off Thursday or Friday adult admission are available at show’s Web site and at participating Wendy’s restaurants. Free crossover admission from the Cottage & Lakefront Living Show to Outdoorama. On site parking is available for a fee. Social networkers can follow the show on Twitter http://twitter.com/NoviCottageShow or become a fan on Facebook. For more information, visit www.NoviCottageShow.com or call (800) 328-6550.