Tidewater Builders Association
Spring Homearama 2011
Virginia Beach
May 28-June 12, 2011

What is Homearama?  Homearama is a 16-day single-site display of fully furnished and fully landscaped custom showcase homes that demonstrate the latest in home construction, design, furnishings and technological innovations. It is expected to attract 100,000 visitors throughout the event.

It’s the 30th year it has been staged by Tidewater Builders Association in South Hampton Roads. Nine homes ranging from 2,600 to 4,400 square feet, priced at $499,000 and above, will be on display. The estate-style homes will feature swimming pools and large lots.

Where is it? The community is located at Indian River Road and West Neck Road in southern Virginia Beach. It’s one of the few new custom-home developments available in Virginia Beach. The community features brick and brick-accent homes along with trails, ponds and 50 acres of conservation area. It’s located in the new Kellam High School district and is less than a mile from The Signature at West Neck golf course.

When is it? The show is open May 28-June 12, from noon until 9 p.m. Ticket sales will stop one hour before closing.

How much does it cost? General admission is $10 for a one-day pass and $17 for a two-day pass. Active duty and retired military guests and seniors (62 or better) get a $2 discount Mon.-Thurs. Children 12 and under and guests in wheelchairs are free. A $3 discount coupon is available at www.homearama.tv courtesy of Hometalk.com, the social home improvement network.

Feature Homes:

• The Space Exploration House: built by Robert M. Letchworth, will showcase how NASA-developed technologies benefit the daily lives of people at home, work and elsewhere. 
• The ODU House, built by Jeff and John Ainslie and Ken Cohen, Ainslie Group/Cohen Homes, will pay tribute to Old Dominion University, with input from the academic and athletic departments, including a virtual display of the Solar Decathlon House being built by Team Tidewater, ODU and Hampton University students.  
• The Celebration House, built by Jack and Margaret Schoch, will demonstrate how to decorate for life’s major celebrations. 
• The Garden House, built by Stephen Alexander Homes, will showcase greens and greenery.
• The Virginia Beach House, built by Ore Builders, will showcase the host city.

Also:

• A “car show within the show” as Southern Hospitality Group parks the latest models in the driveways including the new Fiat 500s.
• An Idea Marketplace with more than 150 exhibits showcasing housing-related products and services.
• A full-color glossy Plan Book with information on all of the homes and feature articles on topics of interest to homeowners. 
• A variety of workshops and entertainment are scheduled throughout the event.

Events:

• Meet the Astronaut on Saturday, May 28, from 2-4 p.m. when former NASA astronaut Susan Kilrain greets the public at The Space Exploration House.  The retired Navy commander has logged over 471 hours of space travel. 
• Biochar demonstrations on Saturday, May 28, at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Hampton Master Gardeners will show how to cook your own chemical free fertilizer from yard waste at The Space Exploration House. 
• Military Appreciation Day, on Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day), military guests can take advantage of buy one, get one free admission with a valid military identification card. 
• Realtors Day, set for Wednesday, June 1, invites area Realtors to be admitted free all day long with a business card and ID. Breakfast is from 9:30-11 a.m. 
• ODU Day, Thursday, June 2, will feature coaches, award-winning mascot Big Blue and more. A special discount will be offered to those who wear ODU gear or present a student, staff or faculty ID.
• City Day, Friday, June 3, Virginia Beach city and school employees get a $3 discount with their badge.
• The car of the future, Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5.  Meet the research director and race driver of The Edison2, an award-winning “very light car” at The Space Exploration House. 
• A Taste of Virginia Beach, from 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 6, sponsored by Hampton Roads Magazine and Virginia Natural Gas, invites guests to sample cuisine from Virginia Beach restaurants and vote for their favorite.
• Mother’s Day Out, Wednesday, June 8, opens early at 10 a.m. for moms with school-age children.  
• Lego Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, 1 to 4 p.m. Children are invited to build their own lego creations or visit with NASA staff to build the Lego Space Shuttle or airplane model.
• The Homearama Furniture Sale from noon-6 p.m., Monday, June 13, where visitors can purchase their favorite furnishings and décor from the Homearama homes. Free entry tickets for the sale will be given to all Homearama visitors in their show bag during the event.

Who are the builders? The builders who are participating include: Chip Iuliano, ABT Custom Homes; Jeff and John Ainslie and Ken Cohen, Ainslie Group/Cohen Homes; Les Ore, Ore Builders; Robert M. Letchworth: Jack Schoch, J.F. Schoch Building Corp.; Alex, Steve and Stephen Quick, Stephen Alexander Homes; Mike Thompson, TCI Inc.; and Herb Watson, HD Watson Builders with two entries.

Directions:

From The South: Take Interstate 64 to the Indian River Road exit. Head southeast on Indian River Road toward Regent University. Follow Indian River Road approximately 10 miles to West Neck Road. Turn left on to West Neck Road. Make a right turn on to Kestrel Lane. Follow signs to the model or call 757-301-7500.

From The North: Take Interstate 64 to Interstate 264 East. Follow I-264E to the Independence Blvd. South exit. Follow until you come to Princess Anne Road. Turn left onto Princes Anne Road. Turn right onto North Landing Road. Then take a left on to West Neck Road. Make a left turn on to Kestrel Lane. Follow signs to the model or call 757-301-7500.

GPS Address: 3164 Coopers Arch, Virginia Beach 23456