PUNTA GORDA — Nobody really needs a $6,000 home movie theater, a $244,000 Lamborghini sports car or a real BatMobile (price negotiable). But it’s nice to dream.

And that’s good for local businesses, according to several area vendors at the Big Boy Expo under way Saturday and today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda.

“I need one of these, right after we get a new air conditioner,” said Chris Cooper, after getting a demonstration on a home entertainment system.

The system comes with a 100-inch retractable movie screen and a surround sound audio system.

“It engulfs you as if you’re part of the movie,” explained marketing director Brandon Intihar of Counterstrike Security & Sound, located in Cape Coral.

“It was awesome,” confirmed Hayden Malagis, a local elementary school student.

The company holding the event, Big Boy Show, holds three such expos per year in Lee County. This weekend’s event is the company’s first in Punta Gorda, said Deedee Miller, marketing director. The event was off to a solid start with at least 500 people wandering among the exhibits late Saturday morning.

Miller also pointed out the expo includes many items of interest to patrons of all means. Merchandise on display ranged from a special wrist band that balances out the body’s electromagnetic field ($35) to a retro-style motor scooter (about $1,600).

Other attractions include a gun room, a motorcycle stunt show, an antique car display and a beer-and-barbecue tent.

“It’s a touch of everything plus boats, cars and more,” Miller said.

One unique item was a pool table built into the hood of a red 1965 Mustang.

“It’s what I call the height of opulence,” said Brian Eby of Charlotte County. “It’s kind of ridiculous.”

“It looks like somebody had too much time on their hands,” added his friend, Mike Riddle.

Marc Miller, meanwhile, ogled a BatMobile. It’s the same that was used in Warner Bros.’ third “Batman” sequel.

“My wife’s a Christian Bale fan, and he drove this car in the movie, so it’s a big deal,” Marc said. “Imagine running down U.S. 41 in this!”

However, the BatMobile on display was from an earlier film than the model featured in Bale’s “Batman.”

Intihar said sales for Counterstrike’s high-tech security and home entertainment systems has picked up in the past couple of years, despite the recession.

His firm installs systems that allow homeowners to check their security cameras from their iPods and smartphones, even while traveling.

And when they return to the airport in Fort Myers, the technology can be used to turn on their hot tubs.

“When he walks in the door, the water’s already 104 degrees and the jets are on,” Intihar said.

He theorized that people feel less secure, so the market for security systems remains strong.

Also, people want to increase the equity in their homes, so they invest in entertainment systems, he said.

“The high-end market is always doing well because it is the high-end market,” explained Paul Deeb, a salesman for a Sarasota Lamborghini and BMW dealership.

The dealership was exhibiting a low-slung, canary yellow Lamborghini at the expo. A peek under the hood reveals that the black radiator bulkhead has been hand-autographed in silver ink by the automobile’s famed designer Valentino Balboni.

“You buy a car like this, you don’t worry about the gas mileage,” quipped Richard Bernacki of Port Charlotte.

E-mail: gmartin@sun-herald.com