City plans smaller pandemic Mum Show

Hamilton is eyeing free admission to a smaller, pandemicsafe version of its annual Mum Show this October.

So far, the city plans to go ahead with the popular floral showcase of chrysanthemums at its Gage Park greenhouse complex despite renewed provincial restrictions on indoor gatherings spurred by rising COVID-19 cases.

Admission will also be free following a motion from Coun. Tom Jackson designed to help lift the spirits of city residents during a “horrible, ugly” pandemic.

Normally, it costs $7.25 for adults to visit the show and $6.25 for kids and seniors. Holding a free event will likely cost the city about $30,000 or so in lost revenue.

The city’s public works committee endorsed the plan — but only after assurances the event could go off safely. Coun. Lloyd Ferguson noted the province’s new COVID crackdown limits private indoor gatherings to 10 people.

He expressed concern the city could look “hypocritical” in holding a popular event — the Mum Show has in the past attracted 15,000 visitors in a week — while citizens are forced to keep gatherings small.

Environmental services manager Craig Murdoch told councillors the new COVID crackdown is focused on private functions and so far does not prevent a distanced walkthrough of the municipal greenhouse so long as indoor numbers remain at or below 50.

The city could still be forced to cancel the Oct. 23 through Nov. 1 showcase if Ontario’s indoor restrictions are expanded to include municipal facilities, or if local viral infection rates spike.

But for now, the city hopes to hold the event — just with fewer visitors, no vendors, no children’s’ play areas and no café. A glitzy 100th anniversary bash originally planned for the 2020 show is also on hold.

Staff will collect contact-tracing information for visitors and the city will encourage people to book their floral-viewing time in advance, although some walk-ups should still be allowed.