GROWING ANTICIPATION
Preparations underway for annual Capital District Garden & Flower Show
TROY, N.Y. >> Last-minute preparations are underway for the annual Capital District Garden & Flower Show, which will mark its 30th anniversary Friday through Sunday in the McDonough Sports Complex at Hudson Valley Community College.
The show brings together local gardening and landscaping professionals to transform the arena into a backyard environment complete with shrubs, trees, flow- ers, ponds, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks and lawns. Workers began putting together the “Diamonds and Pearls”-themed exhibit Wednesday, including a sand sculpture designed by local artist Phil Singer.
The centerpiece of the show is its annual Floral Design Competition, which features around 100 exhibits presented by area professional floral designers, garden club members and amateurs.
Visitors will also have an opportunity to attend a variety of floral and cooking demonstrations, lectures and presentations from local and regional experts, including expert gardener and acclaimed author Kerry Mendez.
Other speakers include Fred Breglia of Landis Arboretum, Peter Bowden of Hewitt’s Garden Center and educators and master gardeners from Cornell Coop-
erative Extension. A complete list of seminars, lectures and demonstrations held during the three- day show is available online at www.gardenandflowershow.com.
Tickets to the show are $14 at the door, free for children ages 12 and under with a paying adult. Advance tickets are available online for $12, with twoday passes available for $20. Friday is MVP Health Care Senior Day, with $11 tickets for attendees ages 62 and older. Parking is free.