Building? Need ideas, direction?

Facing new building codes?

Rebuilding after the 2005 hurricane season? Need some direction on upgrades? The Southeast Louisiana Homebuilders’ Home Show, set for March 17-18, will provide owners all the help they need. Whether it’s getting a glimpse of the latest products designed to make your home stronger, safer or just make life easier, this year’s offering has something for everyone.

The home show will be held Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., in Houma.

Over 35 vendors are expected at this, the 11th annual home show, said Stephen Lemmons, executive director of the Southeast Louisiana Homebuilders Association in Houma.

Consumers will find everything from the foundation to air conditioning system to furniturenand all things in between under one roof, Lemmons promises.

And if you have a building question, WWL-AM host Paul LaGrange will be hosting his on-air show from the site on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Afterward, he’ll stick around to answer home show visitors’ questions.

LaGrange, who is with the St. Tammany Parish Homebuilders Association, has been in high demand. His show features “how-to” advice in layman’s terms.

“We tried to look at what is need to get us on our feet following hurricanes Katrina and Rita,” Lemmons said. “We also looked at what is needed to protect us should we have to deal with another one of those.”

Armed with that information, the SLHA set out to include vendors that could serve those needs, he said.

“We really looked to get vendors that meet the needs of local people who have been damaged by the storm,” Lemmons continued. “And for those who were spared, we’ve included vendors that offer products to help them prepare for upcoming storms.”

Teaming homebuilding and home living, the event will include a number of exhibits, kitchen items, home improvement and cooking demonstrations.

“This is a home, health expo and family show,” Lemmons said of the diverse two-day event. “Our lineup includes hospital and hospice representatives, too. We’re even looking to help families who are having to deal with life-debilitating diseases.”

The SLHA was incorporated in May 1981. Since its inception, Lemmons said the organization’s role is to try to assure quality construction at an affordable price in the Tri-parish region.

With the stiffer building codes and threat of future storms, Lemmons said that function has grown more challenging these days.

“With this year’s home show, we really looked at what customers would need to fix up home or get ready for another storm,” he explained. “We focused on finding vendors that would benefit this area.”

No home show would be complete without a little fun, and this year’s event has its share of fun.

On Saturday, entertainers include Black Guidry, the retired special forces soldier better known as the “Aaaiyeee” man on commercials; Rhythm and Dance; a kick-boxing demonstration; a demonstration by Extreme Water Vacs, one of the vendors at the show; and Paul LaGrange answering questions.

Sunday, Guidry and Extreme Water Vacs will return. Also performing will be the Jolly Inn line dancers; Solid Gold line dancers; and Dan Gill, WWL-AM’s “plant doctor”.

“We’ve got a good variety. We’d just love to see the public show up,” said Lemmons.

Advance tickets to the event are $3, and are available at the SLHA office at 100 Verret St., Office B. Tickets are $4 at the door.

For more information, contact the LHSA at (985) 868-4725.