It’s one million visitors and counting for Bloom festival
FAMILIES lapped up the sunshine at Bloom yesterday, as the gardening festival in the Phoenix Park welcomed its millionth visitor.
The seeds of Bloom were planted by Bord Bia 12 years ago, and since then it has gone from strength to strength.
Among the winning gardens crowned yesterday was an Abbathemed Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again garden by Tünde Szentesi from Hungary.
Inspired by the 2008 film Mamma Mia! and its upcoming sequel, the garden even welcomed an Irish dancing queen yesterday, as model and former Dancing With The Stars contestant Thalia Heffernan planted herself there for a spell.
It is a recreation of the imaginary Greek island of Kalokairi, where the films are set.
The garden, sponsored by Universal Pictures, won a gold medal and best garden in the Concept category at the festival.
The winner of the Designers Choice Award was Kevin Dennis for his Fruit Juice Matters Garden, which he designed as a sanctuary for young professionals to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
Several gardens have a serious theme this year, among them Dementia: Understand Together, which is dedicated to people with dementia and encourages the community to involve the sufferers in activities.
But the festival offered something for everyone at the weekend, young and old, as green-fingered folk, music lovers and foodies were well sated. And the children’s area – for ‘Budding Bloomers’ – was abuzz with activity in the sun.
According to Bord Bia, €9million was expected to be spent by consumers at Bloom this year.
The festival ends today with the remaining winners for best gardens and flowers revealed.