September 18-20, 2026
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
2026 Fresh Ideas Stage Schedule
Fresh Ideas Stage presented by Mitchell Heating & Cooling
Check out the lineup for the Fresh Ideas Stage at this year's show, packed with on-trend topics from your favorite home improvement pros. Come listen and learn, meet and greet our celebrities and experts! Presented by Mitchell Heating & Cooling, located in booth 127 in the Jim Graham Building.
Friday, September 18, 2026
| 1pm | Sam Jones, Sam Jones BBQ | BBQ Legends Showcase |
| 2pm | Allen Mitchell, Mitchell Heating & Cooling | Ask an Expert - Home Heating & Cooling 101 |
| 3pm | Sam Jones, Sam Jones BBQ | BBQ Legends Showcase |
| 4pm | Cindy Chappell of the NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers | Small Space and Container Gardening |
| 5pm | Raleigh Fire Department | Don’t Cook if You Can’t Look |
Saturday, September 19, 2026
| 11am | Lora Brown, Ever-Clean Gutter | Home Maintenance Tips with Professor Pine: Gutters Matter! |
| 12pm | Allen Mitchell of Mitchell Heating & Cooling | Ask an Expert - Home Heating & Cooling 101 |
| 1pm | Ryan Mitchell, BBQ Pitmaster & Co-Owner of True Made Foods | BBQ Legends Showcase, Emcee Ken Smith with WRAL |
| 2pm | Rachel Strauss of NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers | Gardening for Seniors |
| 3pm | Ryan Mitchell, BBQ Pitmaster & Co-Owner of True Made Foods | BBQ Legends Showcase, Emcee Ken Smith with WRAL |
| 4pm | Cindy Chappell of NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers | Small Space and Container Gardening |
Sunday, September 20, 2026
| 1pm | Andrew Hollingworth, Pitmaster at East of Texas | BBQ Legends Showcase |
| 2pm | Rachel Strauss of NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers | Gardening for Seniors |
| 3pm | Andrew Hollingworth, Pitmaster at East of Texas | BBQ Legends Showcase |