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Salt Lake Parade Bigger, Better Than Ever
One thing is certain: Visitors to this year's Salt Lake Parade of Homes will not be short on homes to see.
Nor will they be disappointed at all by the range of homes on display. Homes will range from the affordable to those completely out of reach of most buyers. But then it is the range of homes that makes the parade so
popular.
The show will start on Friday and run through Aug.
25.
As in the past, the Parade of Homes will be centered at one main site - Somerset Ridge - and then offer homes scattered throughout the Salt Lake Valley.
This year there will be a total of 39 home sites. Five of the homes will be at the fixed location, 12800 S. 1700 East, and the remaining ones scattered from one end of the valley to the other.
Tickets will be available at the main location or at any one of the remaining 34 locations.
Prices are $8 for adults 12 and older, and $5 for those 3 to 11 and seniors 65 and older. Children age 2 and younger are free of charge.
Parade hours will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
According to Spencer Greer, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Salt Lake City, attendance this year is expected to hit more than 35,000.
Along with the homes at the fixed-site location, there will also be an exhibitors' tent that will be housing 80 booths. The booths will be occupied by companies offers household items and services.
This year's Parade will include a number of special features, including the following:
• There will be five homes in this year's parade that are valued at more than $1 million. One home is valued at nearly $4 million.
• One home was built by students and faculty of Salt Lake Community College.
• Two homes are on the Utah historical registry. One home was built in 1890 and has been moved to a historical location and is being restored. The second, built in 1908, is being completely renovated by the builder/owner.
• One home was built for Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes for needy home buyers. This home was built from the foundation up in only three days.
• One site will be the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District's Demonstration Garden. It is intended to present easy, practical and innovative ways to conserve water and still have a lush, green lawn and garden.
Along with the fixed-site location, where five homes will be located, four builders will be showing four different entries in a separate, single location - Hunter Village, 7150 W. 3500 South.
Parade visitors will see the latest in architectural design, home products, landscaping and decorating. First-time, as well as seasoned home buyers, will want to discover the new and exciting ideas that this year's show has to offer.
At the time individuals buy a ticket, they will be given an official Parade of Homes program that will give a description of the home, as well as the addresses. A ticket will be necessary for each individual walking into the homes.
Popular features in this year's homes include covered porches, patios and decks.
The larger master suites and larger master baths are two trends that seem to be a growing in popularity among today's home builders.
As with many homes today, large windows are popular in order to capture the available views of the surrounding mountains and to let in a lot of natural light.
Solid-surface countertops are found in almost every home this year. Granite is probably the most popular material.
With interest rates at an all-time low, now is a perfect time to look at buying a home or moving up into a larger home. Or, in the case of empty nesters, moving down into a smaller home.
The Demonstration Garden consists of three main sections: the Neighborhood, the Garden Park and the Commercial Landscape. The Neighborhood features six theme yards, or landscapes, along a mock residential street. These yards demonstrate attractive, water-wise alternatives to typical bluegrass landscapes.
The Neighborhood is designed to provide homeowners with residential examples of conservation techniques. Each yard has its own water meter that displays the actual amount of water being used. Construction of the 1.5-acre Neighborhood was completed during the fall of 2000. The six yards include traditional Utah, modified traditional, woodland, high mountain desert, harvest and perennial landscapes.
The Garden Park is found in a less formal setting directly south of the Neighborhood, with meandering pathways throughout various types of alternative grasses, native plants, a dry creek bed and bridges.
The Livingston home, built in 1908, is being renovated by Merlin Taylor of M.S.T. Builders, Inc. The home was built in 1908, but was covered by a heavy growth of vegetation.
It was a major undertaking to clear it away and make it possible to work on the home. Basically, is it a new home with an old shell. All of the walls, doors and trim are original. All of the old hardware was taken off, cleaned and then replaced.
The only wall moved was one that made it possible to enlarge the two bathrooms. Of course, all of the plumbing and wiring was replaced and updated. One of the most difficult tasks was removing old paint from the hand-plastered walls.
The oldest home will be The Sorensen, built in 1890. And, rather than have it demolished, it was moved - at least, part of the home was moved. The red brick section of The Sorensen Home was moved to this site only a few months ago.
The volunteer-led relocation and restoration was funded by a community effort, including donations of more than $90,000 that were matched by Draper City.
Built by pioneer immigrants from Denmark, the home retains nearly all of its historic
Eastlake-inspired interior trim as well as pioneer faux painted wood surfaces and intricate brickwork.
An addition to the home was in such bad shape it could not be moved, but is, instead, being reconstructed. Because much of the materials and work are being donated, work has fallen behind.
The show, however, will actually make is possible for people to see more of how this process works.
The furnished home will be open to the public for tours and demonstrations. The gift shop will raise funds for non-profit efforts.
Visitors to this year's show are encouraged to take their time and enjoy the range and the quality of work that has gone into the
homes.
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