Letter from BIA Executive Director Jim Hilz

Every year the ever-popular BIA Parade of Homes is a great opportunity for Central Ohio residents to take a “live” peek at ideas and trends in home building and design. This year’s Gahanna location is richly diverse, and other events within the community during that weekend mean that visitors can not only come out for a day of entertainment and nature, but also go home with a lot of new ideas for their home.

The annual BIA Parade of Homes will take place June 14 through 29 at the Village of Hannah Farms off of Clark State and Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road. Developed by Manor Homes, this community is unique because it is surrounded on one side by wetlands and on the other by a large, dynamic multi-purpose park being redeveloped by the City of Gahanna. Mature trees are being preserved in the heavily-wooded area and give the development a secluded feel.

Builders that will be featured this year include Tuckerman Home Group (BIA Foundation House Builder), Manor Homes, OS Homes, M/I Homes, Trinity Home Builders, Key Homes and Fischer Homes.

Also, did you know that Gahanna is the herb capital of Ohio? To highlight the claim to fame, the Parade will incorporate herb gardens throughout the landscaping of the properties and the development. Volunteers from Gahanna’s own Ohio Herb Education Center will use their expertise to help design the gardens.

Tour attendees will surely see that one of Hannah Farms most unique advantages is its connection to Hannah Park by a path that winds through the woods. Homeowners choosing this community can leave their cars parked in the garage as they take a pleasant stroll to the park for a pickup ball game or a picnic. The fact that residents will have access through a walking trail to a brand new park is fantastic.

Another feature that will highlight Hannah Farms’ connection with nature is the Parade’s first ever “green” house, built by OS Homes. In keeping with the trend of environmentalism, the house will highlight various energy-efficient and ecologically sound building materials and practices, appliances and landscaping that utilize native plants and decreases strain on the environment.

Not far from the site of the Parade is Creekside Park in downtown Gahanna, location of the annual Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival. This year’s popular tribute to blues and jazz will be held during the second weekend of the Parade, June 20-22. By having these two events going on simultaneously, visitors will realize Gahanna is one of the most diverse communities in Central Ohio.

The Village at Hannah Farms is truly a spectacular new development with amenities and features for future homeowners. Coupled with Gahanna’s rich, historic past and energized future, it is an exciting community to host this year’s Parade.

So make a day of it! Come on out to the BIA Parade of Homes at the Village of Hannah Farms. After you’ve toured the homes and herb gardens, head over to the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival. And if you’ve still got energy to burn, check out the ongoing development of nearby Hannah Farms Park or the Ohio Herb Education Center.

Visit our new Parade Web site at www.paradeofhomesideas.com for a sneak peak at this year’s Parade homebuilders, special events and new group sales tickets.