Special events add to the Homearama experience

Homearama will open to guests in about two weeks, but there is more to the event than the homes — there are also a variety of special events that take place during the showcase.

Stephen Quick, the Homearama chairman and one of the builders for this year’s event at The Riverfront at Harbour View, said special happenings are always a part of the Tidewater Builders Association’s events.

“I think what they are trying to do is bring a lot of culture into the event, so it’s not just a sterile event,” he said.

Some of the events that will take place occur with every Homearama, such as Realtors’ Day, Military Appreciation Day and the end-of-show furniture sale.

For Realtors’ Day, real estate agents can get into Homearama for free Oct. 19 with a business card and identification.

Quick said the Realtors’ Day is one of the most popular events because it offers real estate agents time to get to know the builders at the show and possibly recommend them to their clients.

“Agents come to meet the builders, so when their clients say they want to build a house, they can speak with confidence about these builders,” he said.

But in addition to the classic events, there also will be new and special occurrences at Homearama this year.

Skydivers from Skydive Suffolk will drop in to celebrate the opening of the show on Oct. 15 at 1:30 p.m.

Also, several events will take place at the Justin Kauflin Charity House in honor of the home’s namesake.

Kauflin is a jazz pianist who lost his sight at age 11 and is a former recipient of the Tidewater Builder’s Association Scholarship.

To showcases his talents, Kauflin will perform his music at the house from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays during the show. Also, violinist Brittany Denig, another TBA scholarship recipient, will perform at the house Oct. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m.

“The live music is new (to Homearama),” Quick said.

Quick said the Charity House is also hosting the event he is most looking forward to — the Autumn Ale event.

The event will feature a sampling of craft beers from noon to 3 p.m. at the house on Oct. 15.

“If people like beer and they like house, that will be a lot of fun,” Quick said with a laugh.

The Get Pink with Sentara Breast Cancer Awareness House also will feature several events, including a mobile mammography on Oct. 19.

Also, the next day is Get Pink with Sentara Day, and any guests wearing pink get a $2 discount on their tickets.

Quick said he recommends guests try to visit the show while the special events are going on.

“It adds to the overall experience,” he said. “This is a real family activity. You don’t have to rush through the house. You can just take your time.”

Homearama opens Oct. 15 and runs until Oct. 30. Tickets for the event are $10 for a one-day pass and $17 for two days.

For a full listing of the special events at Homearama, visit www.homearama.tv.