Icy weather in the Jefferson City area didn't deter serious shoppers from attending the Home Builders Association's Home Show held at the Firley YMCA on Friday and Saturday.
Although the crowd might have been smaller than in other years, the people who attended were serious about their inquiries and genuinely wanted to glean ideas for projects they were planning, several vendors reported.
"We had a good early turnout, but it felt like it tapered off around when 4 to 5 p.m. hit," said Matt Allen, owner of MRA Construction. "I have to believe it's due to the weather."
Saturday morning started slow, but by noon many of the booths were thronged by interested listeners. This year's show featured 120 vendors.
Allen seemed confident about the upcoming building season. He noted in a typical year by late February, he might have been contacted by a few families interested in building new homes. This year he's been contacted by seven prior to the home show.
"That's new," he said. "It's amazing how many people have shown an interest in building, compared to years past."
Allen said the interest has renewed his optimism that perhaps demand has built back up after several lackluster years. "I think money is starting to free up and the banks are a little more lenient," he suggested.
Adam Mietzner, chair of the home show and a representative of EcoWater Systems, said Friday's attendance was strong, but Saturday morning's was off.
"It's down a little bit. But hopefully it will pull in some more people, since everything else is closed today," he said.
Other vendors optimistically noted if the weather had been fair, many people likely would've kept themselves busy working outdoors.
Like Allen, Mietzner said many of the visitors were serious.
"A lot of people who are coming here are here to look at stuff they want. ... I know the vendors have gotten a lot of good leads," Mietzner said.
He said one of the home show's biggest draws was the appearance of Rick Bryant from the History Channel's reality show, "Sold!"
Bryant appeared in Jefferson City from 2 -5:30 p.m. Friday, willing to appraise people's family heirlooms and treasured possessions.
Mietzner said the visit turned up some unique objects.
"One person brought in a 42-star flag that had been found in a burned-down building in 1972," he said. "And another person brought in a whole canister of matchbooks from the early 1900s."
A popular stop for families touring the home show was the Lowe's booth, where volunteers helped kids hammer together small birdhouses.
Madison Keep, 9, of Jefferson City, was one of the "home builders."
She said last year she grew frustrated with the process, but this year - with more help from her mom - was "really, really fun."
"Some of the nails I messed up, but we just got new ones," she said. "My mom was making some weird faces, because she was worried I was going to hit her hand."
Derek Watson, a Lowe's volunteer, said kids absolutely love the hands-on building.
"It's a good learning experience. And the occasional adult also learns how to follow directions, too," he teased.