Parade of Homes features 27 chances to be inspired

The 2000 Salt Lake Valley Parade of Homes highlights innovations in all areas of new home building -- planning, landscaping and interior design

This parade is unlike any parade that might come to mind. For in this one, the people move and not the parade entries - which in this case are homes, 27 in all.

The parade in question is the annual Salt Lake Valley Parade of Homes presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Salt Lake.

The main location for this year's parade, the SunCrest community on Traverse Mountain on the southeastern ridges above Draper, is by itself reason enough to attend, says Spence Greer, executive director of the HBA of Greater Salt Lake.

"The main site is on a mountain top at the 6,500-foot elevation. From there you can see all of Salt Lake Valley and into Utah County, not to mention the views of the mountains to the east," he notes.
"All you need to do is turn your head and you go from great views of the valley to mountain peaks and meadows. Some of the sights, looking behind Snowbird, Alta and Timpanogos, are views you don't normally get from the valley floor."

This year, there will be 27 homes and they will be scattered around the Salt Lake Valley, with three of the homes in Tooele. This way, visitors get to see new homes in all price ranges with many different styles, lots, decorators and builders.

For those who prefer not to drive a great distance, this year the grouping of homes is in the Traverse Mountains above the Draper area and promise to be a show within a show. There are seven new homes located in close proximity.

The SunCrest community will eventually include some 3,000 homes in an area of about 7,000 acres, with prices starting in the $130,000s and going up. The homes in the parade are in the $600,000 range.

"The homes in the main location will be in a cluster, this way the builders were able to take advantage of the natural vegetation," notes Greer.

Two more homes are within the SunCrest community, but are not included in the main cluster of homes. One of the homes comes with a price tag of $1.6 million. This home has been designated as the "Millennial Home of 2000."

And, as in years past, there will be about 70 exhibitors in tent enclosures showing the latest materials, products and technology related to building a new home.

The Salt Lake parade is once again featuring 27 decorated homes that will be open Aug. 12-27. The 20 homes at the scattered sites will remain open through Sept. 2 to give people an opportunity to see more homes.

As in years past, the HBA is presenting the parade to the public to showcase new technology, decorating ideas and trends, and to spotlight the quality craftsmanship of its local builders and trades contractors.

As was the case last year, Tooele was brought into the show. There will be three homes in the Overlake community, located towards the northern tip of town.

"One of the reasons we've included Tooele is that is it the fourth fastest-growing community in Utah. There is a lot of buyer interest in Tooele, not only because of the price of the homes there but the location," Greer points out.

The three homes will range in price from $105,000 to $130,000.

Tickets are available only at the main-site location, with the exception of those starting in Tooele. Jack's Market in Overlake will have tickets available. Tickets will be required not only for the main location, but for the 20 scattered-site homes.

 Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children. There will be discount coupons in both The Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Morning News.

Last year more than 50,000 people attended the Salt Lake Valley Parade of Homes.