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SPRINGFEST FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW
ALL THINGS GREEN AND GROWING
New show highlights with an emphasis on eco-friendly gardening trends are being planned and popular annual events will return to delight winter weary visitors as they take in the scents and sounds of Spring in full bloom within the warmth of the 30,000 sq. ft. venue.
The first thing visitors will see is the 5000+ sq ft. custom glass Springfest Conservatory. Beautifully crafted mahogany beams rise graciously to a height of 34’ and enclose a sun-filled space filled with garden exhibits. This beautiful structure, donated by Bruce & Bev Gordon, was designed and built in consultation with LEED green building guidelines. The Conservatory is an icon for the Fairgrounds and has become a fine setting for functions throughout the year.
Visitors approaching the show will enter under an extraordinary rustic pergola created by nationally renowned artist, David Robinson of Natural Edge. Robinsons’ Adirondack inspired garden structures and furniture grace private gardens, botanical gardens and public parks throughout the U.S.
Upon arrival, the friendly faces of the Sussex County Master Gardeners greet visitors to the show in ‘The Entry Garden’, furnished with the spectacular Window Box Competition. National award-winning garden writer and photographer Ken Druse and NJ Herald garden columnist Vicki Johnson will be judging this years’ competition.
The excitement builds as garden enthusiasts stroll along winding paths, past waterfalls, under arbors, and through innovative gardens brimming with ideas for visitors to use in their own gardens. From backyard escapes, curb appeal ideas, intimate sanctuaries to classical designs; the gardens are built and the plants are forced to be in full bloom just for the four-day show. The garden designers are on hand to answer questions and share their visions. Springfest is challenging the Garden Exhibitors competitive spirit by offering an award from the American Horticultural Society. The AHS Environmental Award will be presented to an exhibit of horticultural excellence which best demonstrates the bond between horticulture and the environment, and inspires the viewer to beautify home and community through skillful design and appropriate planting.
Garden Shops and Landscape Services are tucked among the garden displays. Visitors will come upon vendors selling seeds and plants, tools and equipment, birdhouses and statues, arbors, fences, books, outdoor furniture, floral art and more. Arborists, designers, irrigation, and green energy specialists are among the many service providers exhibiting at this years show.
The lecture roster offers a great line-up of horticultures’ top minds. Garden aficionados can catch a lecture on everything from veggie gardening to garden photography. Lectures are free of charge with paid admission to the show and the entire line-up can be viewed at www.springfestgardenshow.com. Some top-notch speakers include:
- Paul Tukey, well-known to the eco-friendly crowd, Paul is a journalist and crusader for safe and beautiful lawns. He will be speaking as well as presenting an award-winning documentary film that explores the danger of pesticides lurking in lawns; A Chemical Reaction:The Story of a True Green Revolution. As the founder of People, Places & Plants magazine, SafeLawns.org (an international coalition of non-profit organizations promoting environmentally friendly lawn care and resource conservation) and author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual, Paul Tukey is one of the nation’s leading experts on organic lawn care.
- Ellen Zachos, noted author, NYBG teacher, photographer and designer will present “No Space? No Problem!”
- Valerie Sudol, garden columnist will present two lectures – “Plants to Know and Grow” and “Secrets of the Soil”.
- The new Friday Family Fun Night will feature Children and Nature: Growing up Green and programs throughout the evening will help teach curious kids environmentally friendly ways to garden and care for the earth. Priscilla E. Hayes, of Luna Productions Environmental Education will make composting, recycling, and worms exciting for all ages. For more family fun, the Summer Blossoms 4H Club returns with their popular Treasure Hunt and ‘Kid’s Plant Your Own Zone’ sponsored by Cerbo’s Parsippany Greenhouses and Hautau & Sons Greenhouses. A special visit by Lori Day, the Zookeepers Daughter will delight visitors with her newborn zoo babies.
Other events debuting at this years’ show include the newly formed Jersey Highlands Orchid Society, presenting a breath-taking display of orchids. Visitors can catch a lecture by orchid expert Dr. Ron Midgett and consult with an array of orchid experts and merchants. Also, Toni Chaplin, a well-known local watercolor artist will be painting the gardens plein-air throughout the day on Saturday.
Don’t miss the wine tasting exhibitors! Both Balic and Hopewell Wineries will be representing NJ’s finest wine makers. Hopewell Winery will be hosted by the world renowned cocktail mixologist, George Delgado, former sommelier for Windows on the World. Delgados’ Wine Bar will be featured in the Café.
The Garden Café has become a hit with visitors for both the magnificent decorations donated by the staff of Three Seasons and the delectable dishes offered by Krave Café and Caterers of Newton, NJ., offering brunch, lunch, dinner or just a break from the show with a cup of coffee. Sure to create a destination - Friday or Saturday dinner complete with live Jazz music straight from NYC from 5-8 pm.
Expanded features include a children’s menu.
Springfest is sponsored in part with generous donations from Presenting Sponsor Eastern Propane as well as The Morville Agency, Lakeland Bank, Agens Stone, Appleby’s, Pellow Family, Blue Ridge Lumber, Design NJ, The Gardeners News, NJ Herald, Clear Channel Radio and NJ Travel and Tourism.
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta NJ. 07822.
Show dates: March 11-14, 2010.
Hours: Daily 10am – 5pm. Friday & Saturday to 8pm
Admission: Adults $11. Seniors $8. Children under 15–Free Thursday is Seniors Day (65+) $6.
Group Rate $8 (by reservation prior to March 1st )
At Springfest Flower & Garden Show
- 4:45 pm Poster Contest winner announced. Carol Decker, famed wildlife artist will judge the student entries.
- 5pm – 6pm “Laws of Nature, Dumps, Landfills, and Recycling” explores the process and consequence of tossing our trash.
- 6pm – 6:45pm Lori Day, The Zookeeper’s Daughter, will share the wonder of the animal world with a special visit of the newest Zoo Baby.
- 6:45pm- 7:45pm “Composting – Feed the Worms and Microorganisms, Starve the Landfill” is a hands-on wormfest of household garbage and yard waste! Have fun while learning how to divert 20% of your household waste from the landfill.
There’s something for the whole family at Springfest. Dad can catch up on the latest in lawn and garden tools and equipment and get inspired by a fabulous BBQ display complete with all the comforts of outdoor living. The whole family can enjoy strolling among the isles of displays of charming shops and horticultural services. Treat Mom to a night out in The Garden Café catered by Krave Café and Caterers of Newton, complete with a cozy fireplace, live Jazz music straight from NYC, and a Wine Bar hosted by the renowned sommelier, George Delgado serving the wines from Hopewell Winery.
Gather together the members of your family and make the trip to Springfest Flower & Garden Show at the Conservatory, Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta, NJ. Show dates: March 11-14th. Hours: Daily 10am – 5pm, Friday & Saturday to 8pm. All programs are free with paid admission to the show. Adults $11. , Seniors (65+) $8. , Children under 15 free. Thursday is Seniors Day $6. Springfest is a not-for-profit fundraiser with proceeds benefiting agricultural education and initiatives.
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David Robinson, nationally renowned builder of rustic works both public and private, will exhibit at Springfest Flower & Garden Show
Visitors can meet David Robinson at his exhibit at Springfest, “NJ’s finest” Flower & Garden Show, on March 11-14th at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta, NJ where they can also see creative display gardens, garden boutiques and educational lectures.
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The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ is undergoing a colorful transformation and bringing SPRING a little early this year. Flowers are being forced from their winter dormancy and carefully timed to be in full bloom for the 14th anniversary of the Springfest Flower & Garden Show on March 11 – 14. The show is fondly known as “The Garden Lover’s Flower Show” featuring high quality horticultural displays. The area’s finest landscape companies are busy building beautiful stone walls, laying patio stones, staining arbors and gazebos and creating magnificent waterfalls and ponds filled with colorful koi. This year’s display gardens are already looking more creative than ever, as each designer takes advantage of the new layout with a winding path that takes visitors near fragrant flowers and allows them to discover hidden garden treasures.
Special guest speakers include Paul Tukey from “People Places & Plants” on HGTV’s who will be presenting the award winning film, “A Chemical Reaction”. Other special lecturers include garden writer Ellen Zachos, Priscilla Hayes, Director of Rutgers Department of Agricultural, NJ Birding expert Donna Traylor, Dr. Ron Midget, orchid specialist and more. These speakers will be sharing their knowledge of gardening and flowers free with paid admission. Visitors will enjoy an expanded show full of ideas and information to use in their own gardens, shop at the Springfest Boutique, dine in the Café and youngsters can visit the Kids Zone for a special plant.
There is always something new at Springfest. Friday night is Family Fun Night –“Growing up Green” which will feature family oriented hands on workshops. Also, a visit for Lori Day, the Zookeeper’s Daughter with a special baby animal. Orchid experts will once again share their knowledge and passion with lectures and workshops.
Soon the dust of construction will settle at Springfest and the transformation will be complete. Doors will open on March 11 – 14 from 10am to 5pm daily, Friday & Saturday until 8pm. Call 973-948-9448 for more information or visit the website at www.springfestgardenshow.com.
Paul Tukey is coming to the Springfest Flower & Garden Show on March 13th to share with the visitors a very important message: It is possible to have a safe--and healthy lawn--without using dangerous chemicals. As the founder of People, Places & Plants magazine, SafeLawns.org (an international coalition of for –profit and non-profit organizations promoting environmentally friendly lawn care and resource conservation) and author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual, Paul Tukey is one of the nation’s leading experts on organic lawn care. After becoming seriously ill with acute pesticide sensitivity from applying chemical lawn products in his own lawn care business, he became an outspoken advocate for alternatives to chemical lawn care.
Paul is well known to millions of Americans through his popular gardening program as the host, of “People Places & Plants” on HGTV. In March of 2006 Paul won the highest honor in gardening journalism and broadcasting when the American Horticultural Society named him the winner of the annual Horticultural Communication Award.
Paul Tukey and the Springfest Flower & Garden Show will also be presenting the controversial--and 2009 NJ Film Festival award winning--"A Chemical Reaction". The documentary tells the story of one of the most powerful and effective community initiatives in the history of North America. It started with one lone voice in 1984. Dr. June Irwin, a dermatologist, noticed a connection between her patients’ health conditions and their exposure to chemical pesticides and herbicides. With relentless persistence she brought her concerns to town meetings to warn her fellow citizens that the chemicals they were putting on their lawns posed severe health risks and had unknown side effects on the environment.Come meet Paul first hand and learn how you can have a green--and healthy-- lawn without the aid of chemicals! His lecture (free with admission) will start Sat. March 13th, at 1 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. The documentary film, “A Chemical Reaction” will be presented by Paul at 2:45 pm on Sat. and again at 6:00 pm. Following, he will be available for book sales and signing.
