The Cincinnati Enquirer

Two new events will complement this year's Fifth Third Bank Cincinnati Home and Garden Show, opening next Saturday at the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center, downtown.

One, Flowers on Fifth, presented by Oberer's Flowers, will extend a floral welcome mat to show visitors.

Shops and businesses along Fifth Street, from Fountain Square to the convention center, will feature floral arrangements and displays in their windows.

Participants will include Fifth Third Bank Center, Hilton Netherland Hotel, Lazarus-Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., Queen City Plants, Churchill's China, Gifts & Tearoom, the Limited, Casual Corner and the Westin Hotel.

The other complementary event will be "City Living," free open houses at downtown living areas, including condominiums, apartments and lofts for sale and rent.

The open house will be presented in conjunction with Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (DCI) and Huff Realty. DCI and Huff will feature urban-setting installations.

Visitors to these exhibits can pick up free tickets to the open houses.

Participating properties:

• Sixth & Race Streets (Eagle Realty). Contemporary-style, one- and two-bedroom apartments with balconies and a 24-hour fitness center.

• Lofts at Shillito Place (Towne Properties). These include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom, two-level town homes.

• Sycamore Place at St. Xavier Park (Neyer/North American Properties). Downtown's newest neighborhood, this loft conversion features 17 floor plans.

If you go

What: Fifth Third Cincinnati Home & Garden Show presented by GMC, with more than 340 exhibits.

When: Next Saturday-March 14. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. next Saturday and March 13; 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. March 7 and 14; closed March 8; 5-9 p.m. March 9 and 11; noon-9 p.m. March 10 and 12.

Where: Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center, downtown.

Tickets: $10 adults, $3 for ages 13 and younger. $7 discount tickets through Friday at Fifth Third banks.

Information: 281-0022; www.hartproductions.com.