By Maria King, Grandmother Extraordinaire, flower lover & Founder/President of Event Crazy.com
Well I know that you are all very happy to hear this but it is FINALLY spring this week. I am a lover of winter as you all know but this year has even tested the strength of my affection. I don’t know about you but I have grand designs to make a lawn ornament shrine to my snow shovel. It has served me well and I think it should retire. (Of course that assumes one will see the lawn again) Even as I write this, the forecast includes snow here the night this gets published. It will be one of more than 14 snow storms we have endured. If we get more than 2.3 inches, it moves into 2nd place for the all-time snowiest winter on record. I was driven to find some sign of spring this week and luckily, I did. What is more spring-like then flowers, so I opted for some flower and garden shows.
Now these are not the largest nor are they the most well known. However they are wonderful shows to break the winter hold. They will get you and me, out of the dullness of winter into the sunshine of spring; at least in our minds, if not in reality just yet. For that these shows are perfect!
Many are a combination of home and garden shows. With the national trend toward the outside of your home (lovingly referred to as curb appeal), becoming almost as important as the inside of your home, these home and garden shows are reflecting this trend. The garden side of the show has been raised to almost equal heights with the home side of the equation. Many of these shows feature full displays of gardens as well as the latest in equipment and products. A good number of these shows also have flowers on display and for sale as well. That means you can enjoy what we have been denied for so long…color! No more solid white with shades of gray. Now we can see yellows, greens, reds, purples all around us. I for one cannot wait!
So let’s all shake the winter doldrums and embrace the colors and fragrances of spring. Grab the kids from the computers, handhelds, cel phones or whatever other electronic equipment has mesmerized them for the last few months and reintroduce them to the great outdoors. This is your chance to see that wonder again in your child’s eyes when they see something for the first time. I mean you cannot appreciate flowers by looking at a screen the way you can when you look at it with your naked eye. It is good therapy this week and I highly recommend it.
Capital District Garden and Flower Show
Mar 21, 2014 – Mar 23, 2014
Hudson Valley Community College Troy, NY 12180
Since 1988, The Capital District Garden and Flower Show is the Capital Region’s only gardening exhibition of its magnitude. The 60,000 square-foot McDonough Physical Education Complex at HVCC transforms into 18 beautifully designed, fully blooming gardens, over 100 floral design arrangements and a garden marketplace. Experts will give advice on a wide variety of gardening topics such as tools, landscaping hints, trees, and much more. Free parking.
14,000 Attendees
QCCA Flower and Garden Show
Mar 21, 2014 – Mar 23, 2014
Quad Cities Expo Center Rock Island, IL 61201
Enjoy the exquisite displays of gardens and landscapes, room and patio settings and floral bouquets, plus an impressive array of lawn and garden products from the marketplace.
San Francisco Flower and Garden Show
Mar 19, 2014 – Mar 23, 2014
San Mateo County Event Center San Mateo, CA 94403
Since 1986, Eighteen full-sized garden installations from top garden designers, 70 do it yourself seminars and workshops are led by well-known experts and cooking demonstrations by top garden-to-table Bay Chefs will provide ideas and inspiration to encourage attendees to celebrate all aspects of gardening. See the World’s Largest Living Globe of Earth made from over 30,000 succulents depicting land and seas as it rotates on its axis! Tickets, information and photos are located by visiting the website.
40,000 Attendees
Mar 20, 2014 – Mar 23, 2014
Providence Hospital Campus Mobile, AL 36608
Since 1994, features signature flower and garden displays, food, seminars and demonstrations, plus 40 commerical vendors will offer everything from garden accessories to garden tools and plants in the Gardener’s Galleria. Its breathtaking showcase covers over eight acres under tent and sky. Recognized by the American Bus Association (ABA) as one of the Top 100 Events in North America and by the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) as one of the Top 20 Events, the Festival has received acclaim from community and industry leaders as well as tourism officials. The floral extravaganza promotes an interest in gardening and beautification, and encourages the preservation of the natural beauty that is so much a part of Mobile’s heritage, all while furthering the health care mission of Providence Hospital.
15,000 Attendees
Boise Flower and Garden Show
Mar 21, 2014 – Mar 23, 2014
Boise Centre on the Grove Boise, ID 83702
Since 1996. Shop for the latest in landscape design, garden art and decor, yard furniture, plants, decks, greenhouse, and more. You will also enjoy spectacular display gardens; educational and fun gardening seminars; orchid and bonsai displays; a silent auction of beautiful and unique container gardens and much, much more!
12,000 Attendees
Fredericksburg Home and Garden Show
Mar 21, 2014 – Mar 23, 2014
Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Since 2006. Ideas. Did that leak turn into a waterfall? Does your backyard look more like a desert than an oasis? Come to the Annual Fredericksburg Spring Home and Garden Show for an expert’s opinion on your home-improvement needs! Not only can you hire contractors, remodelers, and designers onsite, but you can see their work firsthand! Landscapers and hardscapers spend days creating beautiful showcases to help you realize your own backyard’s potential. The 9th Annual Fredericksburg Spring Home and Garden Show offers a one-stop shop for all of your redecorating, remodeling, and building needs. 2014 Appearances By: Daniel Buck Soules Antique Appraiser. Mike McGrath, WTOP’s Garden Guru
Mar 21, 2014 – Mar 23, 2014
Southwest Washington Event Center at Yard Birds Chehalis, WA 98532
Since 1965. The Home and Garden Show, the areas largest and oldest is here. Both shows are very popular – get there early for best seating! Sunday is Family Day. Over 80 vendors…with free Parking – and all exhibits, shows and demos are totally free.
10,000 Attendees
The Patio, Home and Flower Show
Mar 21, 2014 – Mar 23, 2014
National Guard Armory Morristown Morristown, NJ 07960
Since 1994. For three days the Hall will be filled with beautiful gardens, floral arrangements, lush shrubbery and bubbling water features. Designers will dazzle visitors with a colorful display of their artistic talents. Feature displays will offer something for everyone. From an English Tea Garden to Relaxing Spring Park and Serene Meditative Sanctuaries. Water Displays will feature Koi filled ponds, gentle falls and relaxing fountains. Visitors will also learn how to create their own private retreat or Ultimate Outdoor Entertainment Area. Professionals will be on hand to guide you through the whole creative and constructive process. So, regardless of the size space you have to work with, you can enjoy the rewards of your own special place.
Maria can be reached directly at eventsblog@eventcrazy.com or @eventcrazy on Twitter or visit her website at www.eventcrazy.com
Copyright © 1998-2014 Events Media Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Photos are copyright of their respective owners.
