Pitmaster Sloan Rinaldi and Iron Chef Tucson Anthony Dromgoole cook at Fall Southern AZ Home Show

Tucson residents looking for ideas for a home project, a backyard upgrade, or a weekend activity can find all three at the Fall Southern AZ Home Show, returning Oct. 16 through Oct. 18 at the Tucson Convention Center. The event fills the Convention Center Exhibition Halls and Ballroom at 260 S. Church Ave. with more than 200 vendors focused on home improvement, design, landscaping, outdoor living, food, pets, and family activities. This year’s lineup also gives local food fans a reason to spend time at the show, with appearances by award winning pitmaster Sloan Rinaldi and Tucson chef Anthony Dromgoole.

Rinaldi, a fourth generation barbecue pitmaster and outdoor cooking specialist, will present “All Things Brisket” at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and again at the same time Saturday, Oct. 17, on the Culinary Showcase Stage. Her television credits include Bravo’s Top Chef, Netflix’s Barbecue Showdown, and Food Network’s Chopped Grill Masters. Her background includes competition barbecue, outdoor kitchen design, and live fire cooking, making the demonstrations relevant to people who want to improve a backyard grill setup as well as experienced pitmasters interested in technique.

The brisket demonstrations will be followed by meet and greets, giving attendees a chance to speak with Rinaldi after each presentation. Her appearance fits the show’s broader emphasis on outdoor living, where cooking, entertaining, and home design overlap. HGTV’s Matt Blashaw will also offer outdoor living presentations at 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday on the Fresh Ideas Stage, alongside sessions from local experts throughout the three day event.

Dromgoole, a familiar name to Tucson diners through OBON Sushi Bar Ramen, will cook at noon Saturday, Oct. 17. He arrives after winning his third consecutive Iron Chef Tucson championship at Desert Diamond Casino on July 18. In that competition, Wholesum Family Farms tomatoes served as the secret ingredient. Dromgoole used them in a four course menu that included goat cheese ice cream and balsamic glaze over a fried tomato for dessert, a dish judges praised. His third straight title puts him alongside Ryan Clark as the only chefs to win Iron Chef Tucson three years in a row.

Food options extend beyond the stage. Local food trucks will be stationed outside the exhibition hall throughout the show, with seating available during the day. Inside, the Artisans Aisle on the 1700 aisle will combine gourmet foods with handmade home goods, art, and decor. Chef John Hohn of Gap Ministries is scheduled for a Culinary Showcase Stage presentation at noon Friday, adding another local food component to the weekend program.

The show also offers several features designed to appeal to Tucson families, gardeners, and pet owners. Visitors can walk through a full size accessory dwelling unit in the ADU Experience, gaining a closer look at one option for adding space to a property. The Tucson Cactus & Succulent Society will host Desert Treasures, an educational display and cactus and succulent pop up sale. A Sonoran Supper area will provide desert inspired dining space along with interior design ideas, while Eucalyptus Escape will let guests make a eucalyptus bundle to take home.

Pets have a significant place in the event’s schedule. Pathways for Paws will host the Strut Your Mutt dog fashion show at 11 a.m. Saturday on the Fresh Ideas Stage, with adoptable dogs featured as part of the presentation. Petopia and Paws & Play will highlight pet products and services, and adoptable animals will be available through Rescue a Golden of AZ, Southern Arizona Cat Rescue, Pathways for Paws, and Rescue Me Tucson. The programming gives visitors an opportunity to learn about pet resources and potentially meet an animal in need of a home.

Saturday will also include a Kids Market in the Ballroom from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., where young Tucson entrepreneurs will sell handmade crafts and services. The event is the latest version of what was formerly known as the SAHBA Home Show, and remains the region’s largest home and outdoor living show. Along with helping homeowners connect with vendors, the gathering creates space for local organizations, makers, food providers, and community groups to present their work in one downtown location.

The show is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Adult admission is $8 at the Tucson Convention Center box office, and a half price coupon reduces admission to $4. Children 12 and younger enter free, while tickets are valid for one day. Admission drops to $2 for everyone during the final two hours each day, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Seniors, active military members, veterans, police, firefighters, first responders, and teachers can receive additional discounts depending on the day. Friday offers free admission to seniors and half price admission to the listed service groups with valid identification. Saturday provides half price admission for both seniors and those groups. Sunday is Heroes Day, with half price admission for seniors and free admission for active military, veterans, police, firefighters, first responders, and teachers with valid identification.

Free parking is available in Convention Center Lot B next to the Exhibition Hall entrance. A complimentary shuttle will run during show hours between the Ramada by Wyndham parking lot and the Convention Center. Visitors should enter from Granada between Congress and Cushing streets. With home improvement vendors, Tucson culinary talent, outdoor living demonstrations, adoptable animals, gardening resources, and activities for children, the Fall Southern AZ Home Show offers residents several ways to make a single downtown visit useful for both household projects and weekend plans.