Written By Megin Potter
[From the 2026 SOH Fall Magazine]
A fall family tradition, the Saratoga Showcase of Homes Tour has become the Academy Awards of construction industry.
This historic building competition celebrates ingenuity, engineering marvels, and the community’s generosity – raising $1.8 million since its inception.
Building a Legacy
After hearing a fellow National Association of Home Builders 20 Club member from Raleigh, North Carolina talk about their Parade of Homes tour, in 1995, while serving as the Saratoga Builders Association (SBA) President, John Witt proposed a similar event, across multiple sites and days, in Saratoga and appointed Jim McGlagen as the first Saratoga Showcase of Homes chair.
Thirty years later, this aspirational event has showcased the work of industry professionals in an entertaining way that stimulates the local economy and turns visitors on to possibilities they never imagined.
In 2009 the SOH was not held, but returned reinvigorated in 2010 with Barry Potoker as Executive Director of the Saratoga Builders Association and Lisa Licata as co-chair of the Showcase. Thanks to Showcase sponsors (many whom have been supporters since the beginning, including Curtis Lumber, Adirondack Trust, Drew Aiello and Saratoga National/Arrow Bank), all proceeds from the event are donated to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties.
“We had nothing like it up here and since it was very successful down there, I was sure it would be very successful here too,” said Witt, a Saratoga Springs native and former professional freestyle skier who thrives on the friendly competition. Since launching Witt Construction, Inc. in 1989, it has distinguished itself in the industry, entering a house in the Showcase every year since its inception, and winning every award, in every category, at least once.
“We all want to win; it’s just the way we are,” said Witt. “The Showcase of Homes is an opportunity to show off our product and what we can do.”
Barry Potoker
Photo provided
A Spectacular Showing
Displaying some of the best expertise and ideas in the industry, the Showcase is an example of a commitment to excellence shown by all the builders each year, at all different price points, in single-family and custom luxury homes, townhouses, condominiums, and near-new remodels.
“There’s something for everyone,” said Showcase Co-Chair Lisa Licata. Lisa began working with Witt Construction in 2003 and joined the SBA Showcase of Homes a couple of years later. Now, with two decades of experience under her belt, Lisa, a Sterling Real Estate Group Licensed Associate Broker and Branch Manager, said, “Without the volunteer committee members and the support of our sponsors, builders, and all of the volunteers who put so much into this event, the Showcase simply would not be possible.”
Planning begins in January for the approximately 3500 visitors and 150+ volunteers that attend annually each fall. Originally launched with eight homes the event has swelled to include as many as 18.
The judges tour the homes, followed by a Realtor Tour a few days before the Showcase opens to the public. This year, from 10am – 4pm, on October 3-4, and October 10 -11, the public is invited to visit 13 stops on the tour. Additionally, there is a heartwarming awards ceremony for participants.
Lisa Licata
Photo provided
The More Things Change…
Since the beginning, builders have been making the impossible happen, calling in favors and working extra-long hours to finish building, decorating, and landscaping homes in time.
This year, the SOH Judges’ Tour is on September 28th. Lisa expects to see what she usually does… “People coming in the front of the houses just as others are leaving out the back. They are there getting the homes ready until the very last minute.”
Everything changes so quickly in this industry, it’s fun to see what’s new and trending in the world of paints, wallcoverings, kitchen appliances, flooring, finishes, and more at the Showcase of Homes, an event that itself has changed with time.
During the mid-2000s, the hottest tickets in town were the 200 sold for the SOH Chef’s Night, an exclusive in-home tasting event that continued for several years. In 2020, the SOH was shortened from three weekends to two, without a dip in total attendance.
In addition to the homes, each year the Showcase also highlights the work of groups inspiring the next generation of youth pursuing the trades, including WSHWE BOCES and the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition.
Barry Potoker, as Executive Director of the Saratoga Builders Association joined Lisa Licata as co-chair of the Showcase, and launched an extensive marketing and promotional campaign. Saratoga TODAY came aboard, publishing the area’s only comprehensive guide to the show in our fall issue of Simply Saratoga magazine, and a historic collaboration was born!
Behind the Scenes!
Fall 2026 Cover Shoot
Back Row, From Left:
Barry Potoker, Alexandria Bushee, Elizabeth Guerin, Mike Krajeski,
Stacey D’Andrea, Jared Paratore, Lisa Licata
Middle Row, From Left:
Lydia Delano, Mykala Ashline, Randall Perry, Chris Bushee,
Liz Bishop, Lindsay Butler
Front Row:
Dave and Sarah Trojanski
Not in photo:
Maxwell Tyler Reagan
We could've stayed all week!
Where the magic started... at 8am!
The Crew!
Barry to the rescue!