AP file photo

ALPENA — On March 7, the Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union (AAACU) will partner with the Aplex to put on a home expo.

“It’s like your one stop shop for all things home,” LeAnn Schultz, AAACU director of marketing said.

The expo will feature over 50 vendors, including several Amish craftsmen, to provide a variety of home related products and services.

There will be information booths for attendees to learn about home safety from the Alpena Fire Department and Don Gilmet, a building inspector for the City of Alpena.

Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMCSA), the Alpena Chamber of Commerce, Target Alpena, and Lake Huron Regional Development Corporation will host booths to share about their home programs and housing services.

Home Depot will host 14 booths altogether that will feature vendors with products that can be purchased through Home Depot.

AAACU will have staff at the event to help out potential home buyers too.

“We’re going to have staff on hand to open accounts right there on the spot, talk about loans, mortgages, home equity loans, and talk to them about financing of that project,” Schultz said.

Additionally, decking and roof replacement businesses will be in attendance. Shultz said that one booth will include a display dock for those with lake houses that may be thinking of installing one.

Realtors, including Banner Realty, Forty Five North Realty, and more will have booths as well.

While this is the first year that AAACU is hosting the home expo, there was a home builders show in the past in Alpena that no longer exists due to many of the people running it reaching retirement, Schultz said.

They used to serve sloppy joes at that event, Schultz said, and that tradition will be continued through the Thunder Bay Junior High Honors Society.

The event will include a kids corner if parents need to keep their kids busy while they talk to a contractor or business person.

There will also be door prizes and giveaways.

The convenience of having everything home-related under one roof is sure to motivate any homeowner or home buyer to attend.

“It’s a great event to get out of the house in the winter,” Schultz said. “There’s so much information there and you can learn so much stuff, you might not know what you need. There’s just something for everyone there.”

The home expo will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 7.

If you are interested in hosting a booth, contact Schultz at 989-354-1538.