ROCHESTER, NY– For the first time in its 32-year history, Homearama will feature culinary demonstrations, wine and beer tastings and musical performances during the event’s two-week run. More than 25,000 people attend Homearama each year to tour the newly-constructed, fully-decorated and landscaped homes and the more than 50 exhibitors with a variety of products and services related to “home.”

“Homearama has always showcased the quality of local materials and services, providing visitors with an array of home building technologies, designs and furnishings,” explains Craig Antonelli, chair of the RHBA. “This year we took our mission of educating consumers and showcasing the quality of our region and expanded it to showcase local culinary and musical talent and quality local wines and beers.”

The organization is also upholding its tradition of partnering with local charities through the event. The bands that perform during Homearama are performing for local charities of their choosing.
“We realize that Homearama is a premier event in the community so performing there is a great opportunity, but at the same time it was an opportunity to help an organization that’s close to my heart so it was a win-win,” says John Donahue, one of the founders of Wild Horses and a guitarist and backup vocalist for the band. He notes Wild Horses has a good history as a group of being available for fundraising throughout the year so the performance at Homearama was another “good vehicle for getting involved with the community. The charity Wild Horses chose was Easter Seals of NY, which serves children, adults and families living with autism and other developmental disabilities or special needs.

Culinary demonstrations are being presented by the Culinary Center at Vella. There will be chefs from eight unique, locally-owned and operated restaurants participating with the theme of “Summer Grilling.” Organic, local and fresh foods will also be highlighted throughout the course of the two weeks.

“While everything will be prepared on a grill, this is not burgers by any means,” says Jeff Brown of Vella. “From pizza to fruits and vegetables, among many other things, this will make people say, ‘Wow. I never thought I could grill that.’”

Some of the restaurants will be sharing recipes they demonstrate so attendees can follow along and then take the recipe home to recreate.

And what is delicious food without great wine or beer? Wine and beer tastings will also be held throughout Homearama to demonstrate the variety of tastes being created in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes regions.

“Homearama is a unique opportunity to showcase our delicious local wines in a setting that emphasizes local business, local foods, and local produce, to local residents  so they can see, feel and taste what Upstate New York has to offer,” says Scott Osborn, president of Fox Run Vineyards in Penn Yan.

John Brahm, owner of Arbor Hill Grapery in Naples, agrees, “We want RHBA’s new homeowners to have the opportunity to sample our wines so they can entertain their guests with one of New York’s finest wines.”

The full schedule of bands, wine tastings and culinary demonstrations is on the RHBA website: http://www.rochesterhomebuilders.com/Homearama/homearama2010/calendar.html.
 Homearama 2010 takes place from August 14 through 22, in WaterSong, Penfield, N.Y. More information about the event, including ticket information, is available at www.rochesterhomebuilders.com.  The event is co-sponsored by Wells Fargo. The event's media sponsor is Time Warner/YNN

Article Courtesy of Cynthia L. McVey, APR Cindy Lee Associates