This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

It's a rare year when Sandy's Jan Harding does not attend The Salt Lake Tribune's annual Spring Home and Garden Festival, which opened its four-day run Thursday at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy.

One year she came looking for flooring. Another time she sought out covers for her window wells. Thursday, she was searching for roofing specialists among the more than 500 companies represented at the show.

"I enjoy coming every year," she said. "I always have a project in mind for the house. I talk to the vendors and see them here and come away with some names."

Tim and Colleen Clark of West Valley City had similar thoughts. They are thinking about remodeling their tub and bathroom, and were looking for ideas. By 3 p.m., they had already arranged with two kitchen companies to visit for an estimate.

Such is the ebb and flow of the show, which draws an estimated 35,000 people each year. Even early in the first two hours of the event, the huge expo center parking lot was starting to fill up.

"I need customers," said Aaron Higgins of fedPets, a new Utah company that offers free home delivery of pet food. "I think we have a good business idea. We just need to get it out to people."

If there is a new trend in the show, it might be "green products." Companies selling everything from organic soil to xeriscaping to solar panels seemed to be on almost every aisle.

Jordan Gates, a solar thermal specialist for the Harris-Dudley Co., said he buys a booth every other year at the show.

He said he spends about 90 percent of his time answering questions about the technology behind solar-powered water heaters and fins himself impressed with the intelligence of the questions.

One thing that always dazzles is the variety of home and garden products, and services, being offered.

There is everything from appliances to flag poles to basketball hoops. You can buy a hot tub, a log home, a heater, granite counter tops, a shed, new windows, cooking pots, a steam iron, quilting machine, pet memorial, cemetery plot, climbing wall, new kitchen, window washer and a hide a bed, or hire someone to clean your house or fertilize your lawn.

wharton@sltrib.com Twitter @tribtomwharton —

If you go

What • Home and Garden Festival

When • Noon to 10 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday

Where • South Towne Expo Center, Sandy

Admission • $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, children 12 and under free.

For discount tickets and more information • visit saltlakehomeshow.com