Despite this stubborn winter season refusing to release its icy grip, spring is finally here and its arrival will see many people turn their thoughts toward that long-planned home or cottage renovation or upgrade.
But with those plans comes some homework, and for a third year, the PTBO Home, Garden and Cottage Show will provide ample opportunity to research ideas, receive expertise, and score great deals on the latest in home, cottage, and garden upgrade products and services.
On Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 at the Healthy Planet Arena, more than 200 local vendors will come together under one roof to help you get your project started on the right foot. Presented again by title sponsor Forest Hill TK and Co Real Estate, this marks the third year that Oldies 96.7, Freq 90.5 and PTBOToday.ca of My Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has organized and hosted the show.
According to Jef Dueck, General Manager and General Sales Manager for MBC in Peterborough, when a previous local home and cottage show met its demise, MBC quickly stepped in to fill the void and meet the demand from local residents.
“My Broadcasting has always had local in its DNA,” says Dueck. “Although our company stretches far and wide across the province, in each market that we are in there’s a very strong commitment to serving our communities with local news and support. That also extends into events, and supporting not-for-profits with their events and charities.”
“If there’s a need, we ask if it’s something we can take on and use what our media resource tools to support it, lift it, and make it bigger and better. When the home show became available, it was definitely a quick conversation to determine that’s something we could do and, with some commitment, take to a new level.”
MBC has grown the show in each of the past three years, with last year’s show resulting in a waitlist of almost 40 vendors for the 2026 edition. According to Dueck, vendor space for this year’s show also sold out quickly.
“The renewal rate for the last two years has been very high,” Dueck says. “We’ve heard from a number of vendors that what we’ve been able to do with this show has exceeded anything that was done in the past.”
With over 10,000 people attending each of the last two shows, Dueck says, “results from the show for most vendors have been fantastic,” not to mention the reaction from attendees.
“Visitors love the variety of vendors, and are in awe about the size of the show for our market. It’s packed to the brim — both arena pads and the lobbies are full. The multi-purpose room is full too, and the hallways have vendors in them as well.”
PDF: Floor layouts for the 2026 PTBO Home, Garden and Cottage Show
Floor layouts for the 2026 PTBO Home, Garden and Cottage Show
Well before “elbows up” became a rallying cry for proponents of Canadian-made products and services, MBC was walking the talk by supporting local businesses and services through the PTBO Home, Garden and Cottage Show — and that extends to marketing the show.
“We spend a ton of money advertising and promoting the show, but we don’t directly give money to Meta or Google for advertising,” Dueck explains. “We have some organic exposure on those platforms, but our marketing and promotion includes using our local competitors in radio, print, television, digital media, and outdoor advertising. It’s a win for the entire community when you think about it through that lens.”
Asked how he will gauge the success of this year’s show, Dueck points to the obvious — a smooth and efficient set-up and tear-down and a well-attended show on each day of the weekend — and adds that MBC is committed to making the show better every year.
“We always want to try and get better and improve,” Dueck says. “That doesn’t necessarily mean more vendors or even more guests — it means facilitating better services and variety.”
The PTBO Home, Garden and Cottage Show runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 12 at the Healthy Planet Arena at 911 Monaghan Road in Peterborough. Admission is free, with free parking also available.
For more information, visit www.ptbohomeshow.ca and, for the latest updates, visit the Peterborough Home, Garden & Cottage Show on Facebook and Instagram.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with MBC – My Broadcasting Corporation. If your business or organization is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
