The coming of spring also brings the return of the Springfield Museums’ annual Festival of Flowers, April 7-10, 2016. The year’s celebration will feature nearly 50 objects from the art, history and science collections creatively interpreted by local florists, designers, and garden club members. Over 4,000 people flocked to the event last year, and the Festival has become one of the most anticipated moments in the Museums’ calendar. Festival of Flowers is free with museum admission.
The festivities begin on Thursday, April 7 with a Museums à la Carte lecture at 12:15 PM titled “The English Garden: Perfection on Earth” by historian Curt DiCamillo. The cost to attend is $2 for members, $4 nonmembers.
That evening, visitors can enjoy a special Culture & Cocktails event from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests can view the colorful arrangements in all four museums and watch the popular Floral Fashion show as models stroll through the galleries wearing accessories created from flowers. The evening, which also includes music, specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Log Rolling Catering, is sponsored by United Personnel. Admission is $5 for museum members and $15 for nonmembers (21 and over only); for reservations, call 413.263.6800, ext. 379, or visit SpringfieldMuseums.org.
Another must-see moment is a special presentation on Saturday, April 9 at 1 PM titled “Jaw Dropping, Traffic-Stopping, Get-Your-Neighbors-Talking Containers” by Deborah Trickett from The Captured Garden. Trickett’s work has been featured in The Boston Globe and on the TV show New England Dream Home. The talk is free with museum admission.
Tours by museum docents highlighting many of the floral interpretations will also be available on April 8-10 (hourly, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; free with museum admission).
The Museum School will also offer courses related to the Festival. On Friday, April 8, instructor Paul Leveille will teach a one-day class in creating “Floral Art with Pastels.” On Saturday, April 9, artist Annette Chittenden will lead a class titled “Zentangle Botancial Drawing.” To register, call 413.263.6800, ext. 377 or 382, or visit SpringfieldMuseums.org.
Festival of Flowers is generously sponsored by Durocher Florist, with additional support from by Dave DiRico’s Golf and Racquet, Gardeners on the Green in Longmeadow, MA, Pat Parker and Sons Florists, Pennock Floral, Randall’s Farm and Greenhouse, and Springfield Florists Supply Inc. For more information about Festival of Flowers, please visit springfieldmuseums.org or call 413-263-6800 ext. 386.