Festival Of Flowers Announced

The 30th Annual Festival of Flowers has been announced for March 23-26 at the Ascension Providence Hospital campus in Mobile. It will showcase gardens of Japanese influence by Shipshape Urban Farms Lead Designer Dale Speetjens. A mural created by The Nest of Mobile will greet attendees, who will then stroll through a bamboo forest to six locally landscaped gardens that demonstrate the historical evolution of Japanese gardening, beginning with the Heian period, through its continuous impact on modern landscape design. A tea house will float on a pond enhanced by raised flowers and plants, and there will be floral geisha and warrior masks sculpted by local designers. Produced by the Ascension Providence Foundation, the event will also include children’s activities, seminars and demonstrations, a market, a café and special events. Tickets for the main event are $15 at the gate and $13 in advance. The special events, which include the “Preview Gala,” “Buds & Brews,” “Flowers After Hours” and “Exotic Car Show and Band Party,” may be subject to an extra charge. Proceeds will be used to purchase a Jackson Spinal Table for the Ascension Providence Hospital surgical department.