Special to The Star

With spring only hours away, many local homeowners are thinking about home repairs and renovations – be it do-it-yourself projects or something major that requires the expertise of a professional.

How to begin? The East Mississippi Business Development Corporation Home & Garden Show may be a good start.

Set for April 20, the premiere EMBDC event will showcase what’s available locally to help residents with their home improvement projects, as well as provide opportunities for them to purchase products to complete them.

“Meridian has so many businesses and individuals who have business that relate to and can provide things for your home and garden,” said Casey Holladay, events coordinator for the EMBDC.

Early registration for booth space is currently underway for home and garden entities to promote their services and/or sell their products.

“For instance, we have someone who owns a nursery who is bringing flowers to sell,” Holladay said. “Furniture store owners, bank representatives for loans, exterminators, carpet cleaners, architects – anyone connected with home repairs, improvements is encouraged to participate. We’re hoping to have 75 booths or more.”

Early registration continues through April 1. After the date, an additional $50 will be charged. Applications are available online at embdc.org or at the EMBDC office, which is located at 1901 Front St. A.

Local home and garden experts won’t be the only ones at the expo to advise homeowners on their home improvement projects.

Clint Harp, owner of Harp Design Company and best known for his role in the HGTV show “Fixer Upper” will make two presentations, as well as talk to attendees during a special meet-and-greet.

“‘Fixer Upper’ is HCTV’s No. 1 show,” Holladay said, “And who better to offer advice to local homeowners than the individual who builds the furniture and other items used for the homes remodeled in the show?”

Recognized as “Fixer Upper’s” “dumpster diving, reclaimed wood-loving carpenter, Harp quit his sales job in 2011 to pursue his dream of building furniture and owning his own company.

Now, together with his wife Kelly and their three kids, the Harps spend each day pursuing their dream and blazing the new trail of owning their own company. Harp Design Co. provides quality furniture and home goods to customers all across the U.S. and abroad. Constantly adjusting to unexpected national exposure, the Harps work hard each day to grow as a family and a business whose core values are love, beauty, and creativity.

Harp appears as a supporting role in “Fixer Upper,” helping his close friends and stars Chip and Joanna Gaines as they remodel homes in Waco, Texas. The show attracted more than 19 million viewers its first season, is currently airing season two and shooting the third season. Harp takes recycled and reclaimed wood, usually found pieces, and creates beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces meant to bring families together, which the Gaines incorporate into their final remodel and home designs.

At the EMBDC Home & Garden Show, Harp will offer “Best of” tips from the HGTV show during two presentations: at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. At 4:45 p.m., Harp will be the guest of honor at a VIP Meet-and-Greet. Tickets are $20 (which includes general admission) and are currently available, but limited, Holladay said.

In addition to booths and presentations by Harp, the EMBDC Home and Garden Show will feature presentations by Rhonda Denton of the Master Gardener Program, a demonstration by a local artist and other activities.