Fairfield-Echo.com

Fairfield's sixth annual Home Improvement Expo is scheduled to return next week to help people find answers to their home and property improvement questions.

The event is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 5, at the Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive. Attendees can register for door prizes and listen to presentations by exhibitors showcasing the latest concepts and designs in home improvement trends and techniques

"What we try to do is offer something to residents a place where they can gain experience and interact with contractors, home remodeling experts and suppliers to improve their property or home," said Rick Helsinger, superintendent of the Fairfield Building and Zoning Division.

Also available throughout the course of the event will be 30-minute classes on landscaping and yard maintainance, plus a free recycling bin and a free permit for existing homes for Fairfield residents.

Helsinger said about 2,500 people turned out for last year's expo.

Family-oriented entertainment this year includes expo mascot "Bucky the Beaver" and a clown offering face-painting and balloon sculptures. Parents and children also can pick up child identification kits and attend a child safety program, Helsinger said.

The expo is organized each year by the city's building and zoning division. Various city departments help out with the event, including the police department, fire department, utility billing and collections, the parks department, the volunteer coordinator, wastewater division and the water division.

Mayor Ron D'Epifanio said he is not surprised that Fairfield's many departments band together for the event.

"We are so blessed in this city to have the dedicated employees we have," D'Epifanio said. "They all work well together."

How to go

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 5

Where: Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive, Fairfield

Cost: No charge

More information: (513) 867-5318