The passion that local homebuilders have for their craft was very evident last Friday night at The Saratoga Hotel as they were awarded for their accomplishments in the annual Showcase of Homes.

This year’s edition featured 10 houses from builders Belmonte Builders, Vasiliou Homes, Witt Construction, Snyder Builders, Saratoga Builders, Barbera Homes, Eastside Group, Gabryshak Construction and Robert Marini Builders.

The 10 houses entered in the showcase were judged in two prices ranges - under $590,000 and over $590,000 - by a panel of professionals in the home building field and by area realtors.

In the under $590,000 category, Belmonte Builders won four awards (Best Exterior Architectural Design, Best Kitchen, Best Landscaping and the Realtors’ Choice award).

“We’re very excited,” Peter Belmonte said. The judges said that they could see themselves living in the home and feel the house was designed to cater to a broad range of different families.”

In the same price bracket, Vasiliou Homes won for Best Interior Floor Plan and Best Interior Decorating.

In the over $590,000 category,  Witt Construction took home three awards (Best Interior Floor Plan, Best Interior Design and Best Landscaping).

The other big winners in that bracket were Saratoga Builders (Best Kitchen and Realtors’ Choice Award) and Snyder Builders (Best Exterior Architectural Design).

“It’s a nice night and everyone has a great time,” Showcase Director Kate Ferris said. “It’s nice to get all of the builders together and reward them for all of their hard work over the last few months.”

Rich Martin, host of Capital News 9 “Living at Home,” was the emcee of the night and left the crowd in stitches with several humorous anecdotes about the industry.

 The panel of judges included architects Charlie Hoffman, Hoffman Vilardo Architects and Dominick Ranieri, Dominick Ranieri Architect PC; home builders Peter Weidman, Weidman Construction and Eric Willson, The Michaels Group; interior designers Joyce Locks, Designing Elegance and Karen Scott, Creativity Unlimited by Karen Scott; landscapers Randy Countermine, New Dimensions Nursery and Landscaping and Jeff Redick, Redbud Development; and realtors Susan Backshall, Paulsen Brokerage and Angela Cugini, Realty USA.

There was also a charitable side to the festivities. In the 12 years of its existence, the Showcase of Homes has raised $427,000. This year’s beneficiaries of the charity work are Habitat for Humanity for Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties and Rebuilding Together Saratoga County.

The Showcase began Saturday, Sept. 29 and runs for three weekends: Sept. 29-30, Oct. 6-7, and Oct. 13-14. The hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets come with a map and cost $20; they are good for all six days of the event.

Tickets may be purchased at all Curtis Lumber Co. stores, all Adirondack Trust Company branches, Roohan Realty in Saratoga Springs, and The Gazette in Schenectady.

They may also be purchased on the days of the event at any of the Showcase houses. For additional information, visit www.saratogabuilders.org or call the Showcase office at 893-0558.