Variety draws crowd

CLOVIS — Debra Novo said she and her grandchildren like going to the Clovis Home, Garden and Lifestyle Show every year, but for different reasons.

"I come back to just see everything that's here and see what I can find and see what's new," Novo said.

"I come here for the candy," said Zoe Garcia, age 7.

Zoe's sister Angel, 12, said she enjoyed the motorized toy truck with a dog on it that was being driven around the Clovis Civic Center by the Clovis Fire Department.

"That was cute," Angel said.

Local and national vendors were on hand Saturday — and will be again today — offering deals and demonstrations on everything from flooring to windows to hot tubs.

Jim Schoeffel said he and his wife are also frequent attendees at the annual show.

"We come every year. It gives us ideas for the spring and changes for the upcoming year, so we come here for ideas," Schoeffel said.

What ideas? "Well my wife's retired, so she's got a lot of them," Schoeffel said. "She's got a whole list."

Patsi Martinez, another regular, said she frequently picks up tips about work that can be done around the house.

"There's always new things. It could be different promotions, it could be that I learned something that I could use, maybe some updates with the granite at home. And the goodies, the giveaways," Martinez said.

Martinez said after talking to one of the merchants she learned she needs to remount her sink in order to protect her granite countertop. She said she also enjoyed checking out the aromatherapy products that use special oils to fill a room with fragrance.

Martinez said the community aspect to the event is also something that keeps her coming back each year.

"It's exciting. I love interacting with the community and others, the merchants and community members," Martinez said. "And every year is different and every year is so exciting."