Mix in a few dashes of celebrity, a couple of pinches of green and a glass or two of fine wine and organizers believe they have the winning recipe for the 40th anniversary edition of the Edmonton Home and Garden Show.

For some, though, it will be a matter of how Swede it is, as not only will furniture and accessory giant Ikea have four dream design rooms on display, four lucky show-goers will be able to win the contents of one of those rooms.

But while lifestyle celebrities such as Sarah Richardson of Design Inc. and Sarah's House and Calgary's own Alykhan Velji (The Style Dept., Designer Superstar Challenge) will be front and centre at the four-day event at Northlands AgriCom starting this Thursday and running through Sunday the show is making a bold move to go green this year.

While there will be the traditional focus of swinging into spring with gardening exhibits and advice, this time around organizers are unveiling the environmentally friendly Living Green pavilion.

"For the 40th we're launching the Living Green pavilion a brand new pavilion," says show producer Peri Price. "It's a dedicated hall with over 50,000 square feet dedicated to eco exhibits, features, services and speakers. We'll have a green product showcase and this is where we'll have our traditional garden stage and our garden experts as well as our green experts, who will be talking about things we can do at home to save money, save energy, and be more responsible citizens."

As an example of the advances on the green product front, Price points to Benjamin Moore's Aura line of paints, which in addition to providing a mildew resistant coating are described as being eco friendly with minimal odour. Recycled wallpaper, is another hot item, says Price, noting how the new home and renovation markets are adapting to the demand for greener goods.

"We've recognized and the marketplace is telling us that green is now in the mainstream," adds Justin O'Connor project manager for the Living Green pavilion.

"In our culture today it seems to be reaching a new groundswell and it's become cool to be green. We recognize that it's time for us to showcase the green products -- they may have been part of the show before but not segregated in their own area."

As part of this strengthened green emphasis, local designer Tyler Vreeling will add his firm's own take to being environmentally friendly.

"We're going to create products out of previously used material. We'll refurbish or repurpose them and use the object for something other than it was intended," says Vreeling, principal designer of Edmonton's Fat Crow Design, a multi-faceted firm that looks at design as a way to improve the quality of life while being socially and globally responsible. "Essentially, we're dumpster diving and going around purchasing some used stuff in order to give them new life."

The hope is to create a table and bench seating.

"We've retrieved most of the materials and we're trying to design the appropriate products based on what we've got," adds Vreeling.

"The crux of what we're trying to say is that we don't have to throw things away -- we can use seemingly useless products and turn them into something meaningful. We want to show that anyone can be sustainable on any budget, in any situation."

In the meantime if you're ready to sprout into action and attend this year's show, consider that that there is a lot more available than just being green.

On the celebrity side, Richardson and Velji will be joined by Ami McKay of HGTV's Makeover Wish. Also on hand will be local culinary guru Gail Hall, window fashion expert Sharon Moonlight and Lori Mitchell, president and CEO of Tomboy Tools Canada, which specializes in customized tools and home improvement techniques for women.

Thirsting for more? How about heading over to the show's wine bar where Wayne Gretzky could just score with his new signature vintage, No. 99.

"The wine bar we had last year is back by popular demand and there will be free samples. This year we're showcasing Wayne Gretzky's grapes (Wayne Gretzky Estates) and Barefoot Wines' grapes and if you like it you can buy it. We're so excited about having the Wayne Gretzky wine, it's fairly new to the market," says Price.

Want even more? How about the Ask a Designer feature, where Benjamin Moore paint and decorating experts will help you solve decorating dilemmas or better yet, try the help wanted section. Far from seeking people to fill positions, this is where show goers are encouraged to visit the Ask the Expert Help Desk for advice on transforming a home improvement project into an environmentally friendly success.

And shedding a little more light on the decorating side, Velji will provide the lowdown on lighting.

"I feel it's so important. Most people put lighting on the backburner, but the right lighting can make your whole house come together," says Velji, who specializes in residential and commercial interior design.

"Lighting, honestly, is the first thing people should think about when designing a space. How a place is lit is about how beautiful it's going to look. You can spend thousands of dollars on great tiles and bathroom fixtures but if you don't have the right type of lighting, all that great tile is going to go to waste because it's not going to be shown properly," says the designer who became a television design celebrity by chance.

"I really had no idea what it (Design Superstar Challenge on HGTV) was going to do for my career. I entered this contest on a bit of a whim, I didn't expect to hear back," says Velji, who notes he came back a better designer after finishing in the top three in this competition to select Canada's next potential design show superstar host."Then, these doors started opening to me," adds Velji, who has also appeared on HGTV's The Style Dept.

"I was quite surprised. I came in the top three, I didn't win the challenge. It's the winner that is supposed to get their own show. When they called me, obviously I had made an impression on someone at Alliance Atlantis."

As for his future, Velji is in talks with companies in Calgary to come up with a concept that would be filmed there. But for now, it's Edmonton and the home show that have his attention.

2008 Edmonton Home and Garden Show

When: April 3 to 6

Where: Northlands AgriCom

Hours: Thursday, April 3: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, April 4: noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, April 5: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, April 6: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ticket prices: Adults $13. Seniors $7. Youth 7-17 $5. Children age six and under are admitted free. A $2 discount is available on the price of adult tickets if purchased online through the show's website. Seniors' admission drops to $5 on Friday only, if entering before 5 p.m.

Show overview: New products, expert advice and inspiration for decorating, renovating and landscaping success.

Celebrity guests Include: Ami McKay, Sarah Richardson and Alykhan Velji.

Major home-show contests include: Win an Ikea Dream Room package or enter on site to win one of the following: a $12,000 complete home theatre package, a $10,000 bathroom makeover or a $5,000 Vancouver Island tour package.

Exhibitors: 450 expected.

Show website: www.edmontonhomeshow.com