Thu 21 Feb 2008
Posted by Meg under American Cities , Art , Nature , Vacation
I am not a flower person. I’m not a girly girl and I have bad allergies, so I generally keep my distance from anything that blooms. But there is one event that is so spectacular that I will brave a runny nose to see up close. The Philadelphia Flower Show is just a few weeks away, and I intend to be there.
The week-long expo is held from March 2-March 9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philly. My mother dragged me there against my will a few years ago, but as soon as we were there, I didn’t want to leave (despite the sneezing). The exhibits are not just collections of bouquets from local florists — they are larger than life works of art put together with the most beautiful flowers you’ve ever seen. There were colors I didn’t even know existed — not just in flowers but in the whole visible spectrum.
A black tie gala kicks off the festivities on March 1, featuring entertainment by the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Allstars Quartet. The theme of the show this year is New Orleans itself, and the title will be “Jazz It Up.”
The displays are put together by professional landscapers, horticulturists, florists, clubs, and hobbyists. You can read about this year’s entries here. In addition to the displays, you can enjoy live jazz performances throughout the week and attend gardening lectures. It’s a fantastic excursion for any garden enthusiasts, and the displays and entertainment are enough to captivate even cold-hearted flower haters like myself. It’s also a great place to go for wedding inspiration if you’re planning to tie the knot sometime soon.
If you’ve got tots in tow, you can take a breather in the Family Lounge, where the kids can play and get the ants out of their pants, or just sit down and rest for a while before going back to the big event.
Tickets are available in advance for $22 for adults and $13 for children age 2-16.
