Home and Remodeling Expo hits Rio Rancho

The New Mexico Home and Remodeling Expo took over the Rio Rancho Events Center this past weekend, Jan. 20-21.

The event featured dozens of home improvement exhibits, product demonstrations and interactive vignettes for expo attendees.

“Home shows were popular in the USA for decades, but the advent of the internet allows families to ‘do the walking with their fingers,’ so to speak,” David Griffin, communications officer for the expo, said. “The elements that are the basis of the event purposefully introduce the citizens of Rio Rancho to the many terrific businesses that have become the basis of the great growth Rio Rancho has experienced.”

Mike and Tracey McClain, owners of Xtreme Storage, said while their business is based in Albuquerque, the expo is a great chance to show Rio Rancho what they offer.

“It’s a great event to get your name out there and meet some people in the community,” Mike McClain said. “We’re in Albuquerque, but we’ve served a lot of people in Rio Rancho.”

The event also featured a kids’ cutest smile contest and its annual Rio Rancho Chile Cook-Off to benefit the Ten 82 foundation and first responders.

Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull took part in the cook-off, combining his love of cooking with serving the community. Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue’s Andrew Garcia won the cook-off, besting Hull and Rio Rancho Police Department Detective Arion Hayes.

“We’re very happy to be here, and we’re happy with the turnout. We appreciate our volunteers from the police department, from the fire department, from the Ten 82 Foundation coming out to support the Ten 82 Foundation, which does incredible work helping families and first responders in need,” Hull said. “We’re glad to be here and dedicate some time on a Saturday to help a good cause. This event overall is good for local businesses; that’d be great for the community. The Home Show is a great way to promote local business, and one of the things I’m very happy to do is always try to help promote as many local businesses I possibly can.”

It was the second straight cook-off win for Fire and Rescue despite Hull’s best efforts to win the trophy.

“I tweaked some of my spices and took a little more time ,” Hull said. “The total overall cook, I tried something a little new this year where after I got it all cooked up; I actually put it in the oven, the whole pot in the oven, and just let it just stay heated all night long. So it’s really just all the beef in there is just falling apart and the spices really opened up by letting that happen.”

The cook-off raised more $800 forTen 82 foundation.