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PHILADELPHIA — “Brilliant!”, the 2013 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, lived up to its name last week, inspiring a passion for the best in British garden and landscape design.
More than 225,000 visitors experienced the multi-sensory presentation at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from March 2 to 10. The threat of winter storms at mid-week and the arrival of snow later in the week kept the total number of visitors below those of recent flower shows.
Despite the challenges outside, the sense of spring bloomed inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
More than 2,000 guests attended the black-tie Preview Party, which moved to a new night and a new location – held entirely on the Flower Show floor. Tickets were sold-out long in advance for the Early Morning Tours and the Garden Teas, and attendance soared at the LGBT Party, Wedding Wednesday and Girls Night Out evening events.
Highlights of “Brilliant!” included the amazing design of the Big Ben centerpiece, where the digitally projected show featured popular British rock and comedy icons; a stunning floral interpretation of Jack the Ripper’s reign; the lush kale walls and “livestock” in the PHS Exhibit; and the all-new, LED-illuminated PHS Hamilton Horticourt.
Fabulous new activities were wildly popular at the show. The Make Take Room, where guests could design their own floral fascinator, wristlet or magic wand, lured thousands of creative do-it-yourselfers. The Einstein Healthcare Network PHS Kids Zone, powered by Sprout, was both a haven for young families and a center for interactive, healthy living programs.
The Flower Show played host to First Ladies from near and far. Susan Corbett appeared on the Designer’s Studio stage to share gardening tips from the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence. The state’s U.S. Senate delegation was represented by Kris Toomey (wife of Sen. Pat Toomey) who visited the show with Terese Casey (wife of Sen. Bob Casey). Mrs. Ming Wang, wife of the Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., and Mrs. Xing Liu, wife of China’s Deputy Consul General in New York, organized a group of 62 special guests to the Flower Show.
Celebrities also stopped by the Flower Show to greet visitors and promote new products. Food Network star Sandra Lee introduced three flavors of vodka, and “Real Housewives of New York” cast member Ramona Singer signed bottles of her new wines. Celtic Thunder singer Keith Harkin performed at a St. Patrick’s Day celebration on closing day of the show.
The royal treatment this year included the coronation of the “Queen of the Flower Show,” a competition in which the monarch was chosen by popular vote. The winner: Valerie McLaughlin, a longtime PHS member and Flower Show participant.
“Brilliant!” caught the attention of national media this year. The show was featured in the Washington Post, Huffington Post, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, US Airways Magazine, AAA World, and hundreds of regional print, online and broadcast outlets. Even the TV phenomenon American Idol paid a visit to the Flower Show as part of a cross-country promotional tour, filming a “passing of the microphone” from PHS President Drew Becher to 18-year-old show exhibitor Erinmarie Byrnes. Continued…
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