LEWISTON — It starts with apple doughnuts and art, then goes on to patios, paint, furnishings and financing.

Travis Dow has taken the whole-home approach to pulling together his first event, The Maine Home Show, at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee this weekend.

He’s lined up more than 65 vendors: companies such as Lighting Concepts, Maine Septic & Pumping, Rose’s Commercial Cleaning and Waterman Farm Machinery. Benoit’s Orchard Bakery will be near the entrance with doughnuts, cider and cheese samples.

“It’s a different aspect you don’t think about, but there’s food in every home,” said Dow, 30.

Dow, who works in sales for Uncle Andy’s Digest, said that last January, three different people mentioned over the course of one day, wouldn’t it be nice to have a home show?

“That night I’m sitting at home going, what the heck was that all about?” he said.

He researched costs, started his own company, Dow Events LLC, secured a website, and started organizing. Dow, who lives in Auburn, said he knows the area well and is glad to give exposure to businesses here.

“Consumers are tired of being scared (in this economy) and they have things they want to get done,” Dow said. “People are ready to do business, especially with local companies.”

Some vendors, spread out among 100 booths, will have interactive displays with generators, snowblowers, windows and doors, plants and appliances.

The show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Hourlong forums are planned for both days in the Shipyard Lounge. On Saturday, workshops include It’s All About Windows and Doors at 10 a.m., Asset Protection at 1 p.m., Building Green, Affordably at 2 p.m. and on Sunday, Kitchen Designs Do’s and Don’ts at 10 a.m.

At 11 a.m. on both days real estate and building experts will talk about how to buy and rehab foreclosed properties. There’s a lot of interest in that, Dow said, but many people don’t know where to start.

“It’s not an infomercial. Come with your questions and you’ll get an answer,” he said.

Portland had a Maine Home, Remodeling and Garden Show in February, and Augusta a Maine Log Home Show and Timber Frame Show in March, and Manchester Lions Home and Garden Show in April. Dow said the Twin Cities haven’t hosted a home show in several years.

He’d like to see 3,000 to 4,000 people attend during the two-day show and has plans for making it an annual event. He’s also considering a spring show in 2012.

The ticket price is $5 for adults. Children 17 and under free with an adult.

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