What better way to spend a late winter weekend than thinking of spring and all the home projects that come along with it.

This weekend the Carbon County Home, Business and Outdoor Expo at Split Rock Resort will feature local builders, remodelers and artisans face to face."This is so much better than just searching someone out on the Internet," says Deb Kleckner of Carbon Builder's Association."You get to meet people face to face and see the work that they do and the products they represent.""We are bringing local small businesses from Carbon County and the surrounding areas together in one place. We are also going to showcase many of the local non profits in an effort to introduce them to the communities they serve."Raffles will also be held."Those visiting the show will have an opportunity to sign up to win two incredible packages to Pocono Raceway, a Weber Grill valued at $1,000 and a wonderful $500 shopping spree from a vendor of their choice," Kleckner said.The Carbon Builders Association is a nonprofit organization that supports local businesses that have connections to home building, remodeling and decorating.The expo is an opportunity to bring the local homeowner together with small businesses that are locally owned.The Carbon County Art League will have a large presence at the show as well."This year the art league will have a cash-and-carry exhibit," Kleckner said."People will be able to purchase works of art from local artisans and take them home with them.""We will be exhibiting paintings, photography and jewelry from about 10 of our members," said Carla Binder of the Carbon County Art League.Some of those whose works will be available are paintings by Mary Anne Shafer and Wayne Yurchak, original artwork pins and photography by Carla Binder and copper jewelry by Sarah Binder.The art league will also be raffling off several pieces of art and H2O Water Park passes to raise money for their programs and scholarship funds.Kleckner is excited about the many different aspects to the expo and is especially thrilled that 84 Lumber will be bringing one of its "tiny houses" to the show."84 Lumber has an amazing program with these incredible tiny houses," Kleckner said. "They have design programs, they have a program to help you design your own home and they have kits so you can build your own."Turn To Us from Jim Thorpe and National Remember Our Troops will also be in attendance.The Miller-Keystone Bloodmobile will be on hand to take donations."Many people in our area do not realize that Miller-Keystone supplies most of our local hospitals with blood," Kleckner said. "It's important to know that what they collect is used in the area."The show is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Split Rock Resort H20 Waterpark and Convention Center at 100 Moseywood Road, Lake Harmony. The expo will be held in the Town Center.For information go to

www.CarbonCountyExpo.com.Free passes to the expo are available at Creative Framing by Carla on Edgemont Avenue in Palmerton and Seventh Moon Spa on Bridge Street in Lehighton.More information on the Carbon County Art League is available at

www.CarbonCountyArt.com or by calling Binder at 610-826-8401.