On the cusp of the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, the cultural influences of the 1960s will echo through the 2019 Philadelphia Flower Show, “Flower Power,” which runs March 2 to 10 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Leading up to the annual event, students in Abington School District have the opportunity to test out their green thumbs and try their hand at the art of floral arrangement through participation in the Junior Flower Show. The Junior Flower Show engages students throughout the region, from preschool to high school, in hands-on and educational horticultural projects and competitions. Participation fosters awareness of the natural environment and encourages an interest in gardening, growing and sustainability. More than 4,000 children have participated in past Junior Flower Shows, with the “Best in Show” winners having the opportunity to display their pieces at a special exhibit at the Hamilton Horticourt on the convention floor.
At the elementary level, participating schools encourage their students to submit entries in 12 artistic classes, with the ability to complete their projects at home or by attending workshops held after school. Students at Overlook Elementary School even had the opportunity this year to visit Kremp Florist in Willow Grove, where they had a chance to learn from the pros on the best tricks, tips and techniques for floral displays. Junior Flower Shows are then held at the schools, where judges from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society evaluate student entries and select grand prize winners who will earn entry into the main event.
At the secondary level, the school gardening clubs have a chance to work together to create displays that will be exhibited at the Flower Show. This year, Abington Senior High School’s Gardening Club won first prize in the “Gardens” exhibit category. The students worked extremely hard on this exhibit for the past nine months, creating their interpretation of the provided Garden category, “Yin and Yang.” They decided to create an inner-city neighborhood garden out of an abandoned lot. Their interpretation of the theme, their use of materials and colors, and the hard work it took to put together this exhibit both ahead of time and during installation on the show floor, was outstanding.
The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event and features stunning displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers. Started in 1829 by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the show introduces diverse and sustainable plant varieties and garden and design concepts. In addition to acres of garden displays, the Flower Show hosts world-renowned competitions in horticulture and artistic floral arranging, gardening presentations and demonstrations, special events, and the citywide Bloom Philly pre-Show celebration. The Philadelphia Flower Show has been honored as the best event in the world by the International Festivals & Events Association, competing with events such as the Kentucky Derby Festival, Tournament of Roses Parade, Indianapolis 500 Festival, and other international celebrations.
