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Area residents to compete in 17th annual flower show |
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Wednesday, 20 February 2008 |
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 Phyllis Byrum of Benton, chairman of the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs state flower show, held in conjunction with the 17th annual Arkansas Flower and Garden Show, prepares one of five floral designs she is entering in the competition (Photo special to the Courier) By Jillian Duke
Courier Staff Numerous Benton and Hot Springs Village residents are preparing for this weekend’s state flower show competition.
“Travel Unlimited” is the theme chosen by the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs Inc. for its 2008 Advanced Standard Flower Show. It will be presented in conjunction with the 17th annual Arkansas Flower and Garden Show Inc., a nonprofit volunteer organization.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in rooms B and C of the Allen Ballroom at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
The theme for the overall show is “Gardening is Healthy.” The atrium entrance, which is in the middle level, will house the professional florists’ competition of floral designs, which will depict the theme of the flower and garden show.
The escalator leading up to the third level to the ballrooms is visible at the atrium entrance, but tickets must first be purchased on the basement level.
The basement level will contain the gardens, vendors, gardening how-to section, and the family learning center called the “Big Back Yard,” showing living and preserved insects, spiders and other arachnids.
Phyllis Byrum of Benton is general chairman and Shirley Sawyer of Hamburg is the co-chairman of the standard flower show. Members of Riverdale Garden Club in Benton participating in the state competition include Sharl Hill, Jo Krallman, Charlotte Measel and Jean Myer.
The Designing Women’s Study Club of Hot Springs Village has three of its members participating in the event. They are Christine Hoagland, Pat Haering and Kay Kostelecky. Men’s Village Garden Club members participating in the show include Jay Alderman, Craig Blackburn, Dave Daniels, Joe McMinn, Ed Russell, Bob Schappek, Ray Worthley, Larry Blasche, Ron Muckstadt, Earl Priestaf and Wally Siffermann.
Eighteen classes of floral designs depicting “Intriguing Destinations” will result in 72 different floral designs by members of Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs Inc. A mix of traditional and contemporary floral designs will dominate the show. Exhibitors will compete for first-, second-, third-place and honorable mention in each class.
Proceeds from the show each year fund numerous educational scholarships in horticultural-related fields for students at Arkansas colleges and universities. A new grant program, “Greening of Arkansas,” was developed to promote the ideas of a greener and cleaner environment by encouraging civic plantings in community gardens, neighborhood parks and public open spaces.
Attendees to the show may park for free at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock or Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, and ride a free shuttle to the Convention Center from either location. The free shuttle starts running one hour before the show starts each day, and for 30 minutes after the close of the show.
Another possible ride to the show is by the River Rail Streetcar, which runs from 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission to the show is $7.50 for adults, $5 for senior adults and $1 for children. A three-day pass is available for $10.
For additional information, visit www.arflowerandgardenshow.org or call 821-4000. |
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