It’s show time!

WASILLA — From the small, like candles, to large, custom log homes the first Mat-Su Fall Home Show has it covered.

The show begins today at 2 p.m. and features more than 100 vendors at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex. The event is organized by Michael Fisher and Denise Aune, owners of D.A.M.M. Straight Productions, a company based out of Anchorage.

“We decided it was time to do a home show in the Valley,” Denise Aune said.

Cari Lester, owner of The Candle Bakery, is glad to finally have a fall show in the Valley because it makes it easier to represent her Wasilla business.

“I do all the big shows at the Sullivan Arena, but now I don’t have to drive to Anchorage,” Lester said.

As a stay-at-home mom with a home-based business, Lester thrives on these events, she said. Not only does the show provide her with an avenue to promote her business, but it allows her to get out and meet new people.

And there will be plenty of new people at the event this weekend. The home show is projected to attract 5,000 to 7,000 people, Fisher said.

“It’s a way for a company to expose their products and service to thousands of people in only three days,” he said. “There is no other way to do that.”

Although the fall show is in its first year, Fisher expects a large turnout based on the success of other home shows and the growth of the Mat-Su Valley, he said.

Robin Braaten, a field representative for Expedition Log Homes, is at the show for some of the same reasons.

“We came to the spring home show and we liked the crowd and the number of people,” Braaten said. “We are right down on the Parks Highway, so it’s also close and convenient.”

Although the Mat-Su show is convenient for local businesses, it also provides a venue for businesses from all over the United States. Bruce and Mary Hemmila traveled from Minnesota to represent Kitchen Craft, a company dedicated to providing American made cookware, Bruce Hemmila said.

“Wasilla is a great area for this,” he said. “We do all kinds of home shows, so why not do another one?”

An average trade show takes about four months to organize, but D.A.M.M. Straight Productions put the Wasilla show together in about two and a half months, Fisher said.

“It’s been a very enjoyable experience working with people in the Valley,” he said. “We plan to do more shows out here.”

The Mat-Su Fall Home show is at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex today from 2-8 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call D.A.M.M. Straight Productions at 344-1007.

Contact Chris Gillow at 352-2284 or chris.gillow@frontiersman.com.