Local Flower Show: Time Travel Through the Gardens of Life
Peter Becker Community’s 2017 Flower Show will be using the concept of time as its muse. The official theme was recently announced as “It’s About Time.” Designs are being drawn that will have the perfect blend of science fiction and nostalgia. The proposition that guests of the Flower Show will travel through time via full scale blooming exhibits may seem a little out there. And that’s not unusual for the community’s creative team. Will you accept their challenge and look back to the garden of your childhood? or forward to the gardens of the future? Whatever your decision, you can expect to be intrigued by the creativity and ingenuity of Peter Becker Community Flower Show Gang. There will be lots of flowers, fun, shopping and good food in which to look forward or, as it seems, backward.
Set your time machine to join us:
Show Times: March 23-25
Thursday & Friday – 10am – 6pm
Saturday (Family Day) – 8am – 2pm.
The seeds of this event were planted more than 34 years ago and it has been growing strong ever since. The 3-day event invites the greater community on campus for a spectacular, full scale, resident-built garden exhibit. You’ll be amazed and will take home all sorts of do-it-yourself ideas! This is the 34th year for the show. It’s a local favorite attracting from 3,000 – 5,000 visitors during it’s 3 day run. With portions of the activities in the Campus Center at 800 Maple Avenue, Harleysville, and other parts across campus in Maplewood Estates at 815 Maplewood Drive guests should plan a little more time than usual to take it all in. Essentially, there’s a lot more to do and to see.
Especially noteworthy is the fact that the creative team spends more than a year planning, building and planting the exhibits. An empty auditorium is literally transformed into a series of thoughtful exhibits. Colleen Algeo, the shows Creative Director said, this event is really about engaging everybody in the community in creative ways. Senior volunteers all over our area get involved and the greater community turns out in large numbers to see the amazing displays.
Shopping and Other Highlights
Due to it’s popularity, the Spring Marketplace returns this year. Guests will have a chance to shop for unique items at more than 30 booths of local craftspeople and artisans. Antiques, garden items, artisan foods and jewelry will be some of the things offered at the marketplace. Since it is located just across campus at Maplewood Estates, guests can use the fast and frequent shuttle service to and from the main Flower Show Exhibit.
Other highlights of the event include the spring flower sale, craft show, senior and student art galleries, scavenger hunt, quilt sale and the “Flowertown Junction” working garden model train exhibit. In addition, other shopping venues will also be open. Stop by the Thrift Shop and two gift shops. New items are offered everyday.
Bring the Kids on Saturday – Pancake Breakfast and Make and Take Crafts
And, don’t miss out on Family Day offering activities for children and families on Saturday, March 25. Start off at the Pancake Breakfast running from 8a.m. to 10 a.m. at 800 Maple Avenue. The pancake breakfast is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Try your hand at a Make and Take Craft and be sure to stop by the Flourtown Junction model train exhibit. They are located at 815 Maplewood Estates. There is ample parking at both locations. Shuttles will be running all day.
In addition, for the Flower Show and Spring Marketplace, admission is free; donations accepted. A free commemorative program comes with any donation.