DETROIT – When the Michigan Home and Garden Show opens at Ford Field March 7 – 9, winter weary homeowners will be ready  to enjoy the show’s beautiful gardens and landscapes and start thinking spring.

“Show goers will discover the newest and best ideas and trends to enhance their homes’ beauty and functionality from the inside out,” said Mike Wilbraham, show producer for ShowSpan, Inc.

Frank Fontana, host and lead designer for HGTV’s “Design on a Dime” and lead designer of HGTV’s “Takeover My Makeover,” will be presenting “Let’s be Frank! Secrets of High Style, Low Cost Design.” Interior designer and life style expert, Fontana is the real life “Italian Stallion” of the lifestyle world, and underdog winner of ABC-TV 2004 Martha Stewart-themed reality competition “The Great Domestic Showdown,” where he won the entire competition and launched his television career.

Over 15 gardens and landscapes created especially for Ford Field will be filled with reflecting pools, waterfalls, fountains, stone and brick paver patios and thousands of blooming annuals and perennials for homeowners to stroll through and gather outdoor ideas.

Flower expert J Schwanke will demonstrate imaginative and creative flower designs for home and entertaining during his presentation “Fun with Flowers and J.”

Food’s low carbon footprint, locally grown produce, salad creations and free recipe cards will be available at the Gourmet Cooking Stage from Chef Angus Campbell of Grand Rapids Community College’s award-winning Secchia Institute for Culinary Education.

The Standard Flower Show, “Tropical Breezes,” will feature artistic design interpretations and creative usages of flowers in youth, horticulture and educational entries and exhibits presented by Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc., members of National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Solutions for Small Spaces vignettes created by Art Van Furniture will provide ideas on redesigning living spaces to maximize functionality while minimizing possessions.

Presentations on the Home Stage include Glenn Haege, America’s Master Handyman, WJR Radio host and The Detroit News columnist “Remodeling with Green Products That Save You Money” and Bob Fegan of DTE Energy “Keeping Your Home Energy Efficient.”

All aspects of landscapes, gardens and lawns including design, lawn care, plants, trees and garden tools will be part of the educational presentations at the Garden Stage. Jeff Ball, The Detroit News columnist and former NBC’s “The Today Show” garden expert; Nancy Szerlag, The Detroit News columnist and book author; Janet Macunovich, co-founder of the Michigan School of Gardening and Practical Gardening Institute and book author; and the staff from the Michigan School of Gardening and the Practical Gardening Institute will teach the seminars.

The art of spinning, cleaning, carding and weaving will be demonstrated in the Fiber Fest area along with the opportunity to see and pet the animals that provide wool for clothing including an alpaca, angora goat, angora rabbit and sheep.

Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit will work with the Society of Women Engineers to construct a “House of Cookies.”

Michigan Department of Community Health will provide state-of-the-art lead testing for children’s toys (one per child; Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.).

Information and advice will be available from experts on building, renovations, improvements, maintenance, gardening and landscaping to move your home and garden projects forward.

Hundreds of top name, quality products and services for your family, home and yard will be on display highlighting the newest and best ideas and trends to make your home more beautiful, functional and livable.

Exhibits, from kitchen and bath remodeling to new homes and room additions, include windows, doors, cabinets, furniture, floor coverings, spas, fireplaces, roofing, siding, heating, cooling, security systems, maintenance, closets and shelving.

Home Show specials and discounts are being offered by several downtown restaurants including Au Bon Pain, The Century Grille, Coach Insignia, Mosaic, Opus One, The Rattlesnake Club, Small Plates and Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine.

Show hours are from noon – 9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9; $4 for children 6-14 and children 5 and under admitted free. Saturday, March 8 is Family Day where children 6-14 are admitted free from 10 a.m. – noon and special activities are available all day. Internet Express Tickets, which include a complimentary parking pass, are offered online. Lions/Tigers Parking Garage is located diagonally across from the Show entrance and  accessible from Fisher Freeway Service Drive and Brush Street. Over 2,000 parking spaces are available adjacent to Ford Field.

For more information, visit www.FordFieldHomeShow.com or call 800.328.6550.