2013 Flower Show Is a “Brilliant!” Experience for Families

The 2013 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show offers endless opportunities for visitors of all ages. Toddlers, tweens, and young adults will have the chance to participate in crafts, storytimes, interactive games, an exciting (and educational) scavenger hunt, and enjoy on-stage performances at the Flower Show, which runs March 2-10.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society makes it easy to bring the kids with a specially priced Family Fun Pak, which includes Flower Show tickets for two adults and two children for $70. The popular ticket package also includes a one-year membership to PHS, which grants access to numerous children’s programs and family events year-round. Family Fun Paks are available online at www.theflowershow.com.

Kids are invited to get creative or relax in the all-new Einstein Healthcare Network PHS Kids Zone, powered by Sprout, located in Room 204B. In the Einstein PHS Kids Zone, guests will experience engaging new programming and festive décor, including oversized trees, a white picket fence, and kid-sized vegetable cutouts.

The Einstein PHS Kids Zone – which is open March 3-9 from 10 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and March 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – will focus on healthy living, and hopes to inform visitors about nature, healthy eating, and being kind to others through a series of crafts, games, and educational storytimes.

A creative corner invites children to read a book and color, while they sit back and relax on mini bean bags and kid-size tables and chairs. Sprout will host a Be Kind Game, where parents and children will explore a series of physical and mental challenges promoting health and teamwork. Back by popular demand, the PHS Plant One Million mural will be located in the Einstein PHS Kids Zone. Visitors will get to decorate a paper leaf and add it to the huge tree, taking the tree from bare to full and lush by week’s end. 

A special Mums Lounge will also be located inside the Einstein PHS Kids Zone. Presented by Einstein Healthcare Network, the lounge will be a dedicated area for nursing mothers, or those who need some quiet time and comfortable seating with their little ones. Professionals from Einstein Healthcare Network will also be available throughout the week to provide mothers with information about breastfeeding, breast health, and the latest technology in preventive care.  

Sunday, March 10, is Family Day at the Flower Show, and will include a full schedule of happenings to delight children of all ages. Sprout will host a Sprout Snack afternoon tea (advance reservations required), head wizard Dumbledore will make a special appearance, Shakespeare for kids will have an afternoon storytime, and characters from Hershey Harrisburg will be on-site, in addition to the ongoing fun happening in the Einstein PHS Kids Zone. Sprout Snack and other Family Day information is available at www.theflowershow.com. 

To learn more about family crafts and activities at the show and year-round, be sure to check out the PHS Family Friendly board on Pinterest! http://pinterest.com/pahortsociety/family-friendly-fun/

About the Flower Show

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation’s largest indoor flower show, which blooms every March at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The show features the country’s premier landscape designers and florists, who turn 10 acres of the Convention Center into a floral fantasy world with beautiful plants and cutting-edge designs.

Proceeds from the Flower Show benefit the year-round programs of PHS, which is celebrating its 185^th year of gardening, greening and learning. PHS initiatives include the PHS City Harvest program, which creates green jobs and supports a network of community gardens that raise fresh produce for more than 1,000 families in need each week during the growing season.

Philadelphia Flower Show: 10 Reasons to GO!

As if you need any more reasons to go to the Philadelphia Flower Show (just go back over all the awesome ones we’ve given you over the past month!), here are 10 fun reasons you should MAKE IT HAPPEN this weekend:


1) It smells AMAZING in the Convention Center.


2) There is a SUPER FUN Family Lounge for the kiddos to explore


3) Having trouble convincing the men folk to join you?  There is a Philadelphia Flower Show MAN CAVE, complete with TV’s showing sports games, surround sound speakers, poker and blackjack tables, as well as beer and snacks!


4) On Sunday, Girl Scouts in their uniforms get admission for 1/2 price!


5) On Saturday, the Show runs from 8 am to 9:30 pm!


6) On Saturday, there is a cooking demonstration from Aimee Olexy (of Chester County’s own Talula’s Table in Kennett Square!)




7) There will be hula dancing.


8) If you are a WXPN fan, Kathy O’Connell (of “Kids Corner”) will be reading “The Lorax” on Sunday March 12 at 2pm.


9) On Sunday from 3:45 – 5:15 pm, bring the kids in for Sprout Snack! Join Sprout’s Kelly from The Sunny Side Up Show, The Pajanimals, and the Berenstain Bears for an interactive afternoon snack. Characters will join you at your table for one-on-one time, photos, and autographs. Please note: The Sprout Snack requires a special ticket; click here to order.


10) Did we mention there are flowers? And it smells good?




We hope to see you there!  Have you already gone this week?  Tell us about your visit!

This post is brought to you with support of the Philadelphia International Flower Show. (Which runs March 4 – March 11, 2011). Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

Philadelphia Flower Show is in FULL BLOOM!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been sharing all the great ways you and your family can enjoy the Philadelphia International Flower Show.  Well, folks: the show has finally started!  We are mid-week, with several days full of events, demonstrations and FUN ahead of us.

Last Friday, we got a sneak peek at the Flower Show (thanks to the media preview).  It’s amazing to be in such a large room as such an amazing event is coming together.  The exhibits were up (or were getting set up), and hands were on deck to tweak, arrange and beautify.

The only word I can come up with to express the experience of the Flower Show?

BREATHTAKING.

The exhibits were flawless, stimulating all the senses.  It was fun to see all the entries for competition, as well as a preview of who the vendors would be.  I was amazed that cars (actual cars, people) had been hauled up to be part of some of the displays.

Here are some great pics from the event:

GORGEOUS flowers

I could sit on this tropical deck ALL DAY LONG

A pond. Like an actual POND. I felt like I could just go swimming. I refrained.

I’ve been sleeping here since Friday. Shh. Don’t tell the Flower Show

Flower Show Flair!

Ready to go for my hike! (Around the Convention Center)

This is Hawaaiian Dude. He’s happy to be here.

::sigh:: Now I desperately want to visit Hawaii.

Like.

Yesterday.

Afterward, we had a brief dinner where we heard from Drew Becher, president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.   He spoke of all the work that goes into creating the event (one of only two horticultural events of this magnitude in the entire world – the other being in England!), and their desire to keep moving forward and being relevant. The best quote of the night was from a press member who had been coming to the Flower Show for over 3 decades.  She said, “In 35 years, this is the best show yet.”

THIS is s Flower Show worth EXPERIENCING!

Check out our past posts for information on events, transportation and eating, or the Philadelphia Flower Show website.

If you go to the Flower Show, be sure to stop back and leave a comment about your visit!

This post is brought to you with support of the Philadelphia International Flower Show. (Which runs March 4 – March 11, 2011). Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

The Philadelphia International Flower Show: A Family Destination

With the Philadelphia Flower Show grand opening less than a week away, we wanted to get you even more excited for this year’s to the Hawaiian-themed show. Islands of Aloha opens on Sunday March 4, 2012, and will run until Sunday March 11, 2012.  That is an action-packed week of Flower Show fun!

A few weeks ago, we shared ideas on making the Flower Show a date destination with your sweetheart.  With so many great places to eat, attractions and exhibits to peruse and hotels to make accommodations in, your sweetheart is sure to be won over with this Philadelphia-inspired date day.

But the Flower Show is far from an adults-only attraction.  There is plenty of Family Fun woven into the sites and demonstrations.  Sprout is one of the proud sponsors powering kid activities throughout the week.  There is an Einstien Healthcare Network Family Lounge each day from 10am – 5pm. Stop in the Lounge with your kidlets for crafts, toys, puppet shows and movies.  Some of your favorite Sprout characters (including Super Why!) will come to play daily.

Other kid-centric events include:

Visits from Kelly and Chica from Sprouts “Sunny Side Up Show”
A reading of “The Lorax” by Lisa Nutter (Yep!  The mayor’s wife!)
A Beekeeping Demonstration

And more!

You can get the full Family Fun schedule here.

Be sure to look over the schedule and mark the most interesting event times on your calendar so you don’t miss one thing! To make your Family Fun day economical, the Philadelphia Flower Show is generously offering a Family Fun Pak.  You can purchase your tickets/pak online, so you are ready to go! Don’t let traveling to the city intimidate you.  There are plenty of parking options, as well as easy-to-follow directions.  Don’t want to worry about driving?  Take the train! There are also tons of great child-friendly restaurants in the area.

Is your mind already reeling with plans?  Great!  We can’t wait to hear about your visit!  What are you most excited to see at this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show?

This post is brought to you with support of the Philadelphia International Flower Show. (Which runs March 4 – March 11, 2011). Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

GIVEAWAY! Enter to Win Tickets to The Philadelphia Flower Show

The Philadelphia International Flower Show is only a few weeks away (Sunday, March 4 – Sunday, March 11). People are buying their tickets, arranging travel and making hotel reservations so they can partake in this years Show festivities. We hope many of our Philly Burb Families will make it out! Whether you take your sweetheart on a date as a Valentine’s Day gift or make your visit a Family Fun Day (more information on family events coming next week!), it is sure to be a BLAST!

TODAY we will be giving away 1 pair (2 tickets) to one lucky winner! Please fill out the form below to be entered. Entries taken until 8pm (2/14/12). Winner will be chosen thereafter and contacted.

Happy winning!

This post is brought to you with support of the Philadelphia International Flower Show. (Which runs March 4-March 11, 2011). Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

The Philadelphia International Flower Show: A Date Destination

With Valentine’s Day around the corner,we would be remiss in not sharing with you what an awesome Date Day the Philadelphia International Flower Show could be for you and your sweetheart. What is more romantic than flowers? And food? And the City of Brotherly Love to explore?

With the Flower show at the center ofyour Date Day, plan around the experience. The show runs March 4 – March 11, 2012. So you have several days to choose from. Two great resources to chart your day include VisitPhilly and Uwishuknew.

Start catching a quiet train ride into the city (because, really, do you want to deal with parking?) and grabbing breakfast at the upscale Azalea Restaurant in the Omni Hotel. Looking for more low-key? Consider Sabrina’s Cafe or Cchaya Cafe.

Then head over to the Convention Center to get your fill of Flowers, Food and Fun at the Flower Show. With so many events and activities, you’ll want to come back a second time!

Take a break for a quick lunch at Tazia Restaurant or the infamous Reading Terminal Market. If you’ve never been to Philly, then please let me suggest making the trek south for a famous Philly Cheesesteak at Pat’s or Geno’s .It’s not a real Philly trip without a cheesteak!

Let your food settle with an afternoon stroll back at the Flower Show. If you plan it right, you can catch some great entertainment or cooking demonstrations. There will also be a large Marketplace of vendors to entice you with flowers, furniture, art, clothes and so much more!

Once you’ve sniffed the last flower and marveled over the last exhibit, gear up for a fancy night out. Treat yourself to a grand dinner at the Chart House or Le Bec Fin. If after a fun-filled day you’d like to keep it casual, Villa di Roma near the Italian Market offers delicious Italian cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

Are you so excited to start planningyour Date Day?

Wouldn’t this make a great Valentine’s Day gift foryour sweetie?

Hold the presses: Before you book yourreservations, first try your hand at winning today’s VisitPhilly 29 Nights of Dates contest.TODAY’S prize is a Philadelphia Flower Show Date package includingpasses to the Flower Show, lunch at Reading Terminal Market, and a2-Night stay at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel!

Check out Visit Philly’s Facebook page to enter the contest and learn about the upcoming Date Nights that are up for grabs (the contest runs every day through the end of February – that’s a lot of dates!).

If you aren’t today’s lucky winner, then great creative and use the suggestions above to create your own special Date Day at the Philadelphia Flower Show!

More Flower Show info to come. Next post will detail all the Family Fun the Flower Show has to offer –so stay tuned!

This post is brought to you with support of the Philadelphia International Flower Show. (Which runs March 4 – March 11, 2011). Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

Recapping The Philadelphia Flower Show

The Philadelphia Flower Show is a grown-up gardener’s paradise, and it can be a wonderland of discovery and delight for children as well. The larger-than-life displays offer a unique setting in which to engage youngsters in the beauty of the natural world and ignite a lifelong passion for its precious plant life. The theme for the Flower Show this year is “Passport to the World”.

My daughter and I had the pleasure of visiting The Philadelphia Flower Show on opening day, Sunday, February 28th. We woke up early Sunday morning and hopped on the good old R5 and headed to the Convention Center. I love the ease of public transportation when traveling into the city. Once we arrived in Philadelphia we started the moring off with an unbelievable brunch sponsored by Fisher Price on the 33rd floor of the beautiful Loew’s Hotel.

Amazing view from the 33rd floor!

My sister and her boyfriend went with us and while he was waiting watching the chef make his custom omlet he turned to me and said that the spread set out for us was the best he had ever seen. The folks at Fisher Price and The Loew’s Hotel went all out! Thank You!

After brunch we headed back to the Convention Center to journey around the globe with breathtaking stops in India, Brazil, the Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand and Singapore. We saw thousands of plant and floral design entries of local enthusiasts in hundreds of categories. My daughter and I both agreed that the South African themed display by American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), was “really cool”…My daughter is 5 and “really cool” is tops in her book.

We also loved the lion standing gaurd over the South African exhibit.
Another favorite of ours was life-size elephant in the Indian wedding-inspired exhibit by Jamie Rothstein Floral Design…I don’t know how they did it, but WOW!

Show organizers have arranged a specially priced $65 Family Fun Pack of discounted tickets offering two adults and two children admission to the Show and free membership in the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Students ages 17-24 can purchase tickets for $18 for any day (must have valid student ID; proof of age). Family Fun Pack and Student tickets are available online this year!

Shoppers – find a bustling Marketplace with an array of take-home products to get the garden started, the official Flower Show Shoppe with 2010 Show merchandise, and a World Bazaar of beautiful and exotic crafts and products.

Foodies will love the International Wine and Spirits Garden, presented by the PA Wine & Spirits Stores and the International Dessert and Coffee Bar.

Complementing the fabulous exhibits, shopping and great food will be live performances, provided by World Café Live that take audiences to Bollywood, Africa and South America.
Children love to dance, and this year they’ll sway to the music of Bollywood. Performances by dancers and musicians from India and Brazil happen on the Explorer’s Stage in the exhibition hall.

Nourishing the soul and the stomach are two of the great joys of gardening. Kids learn how gardening can help people in the interactive Camden Children’s Garden display, inspired by “soup and salad” and the vegetable gardens that help feed Camden residents. In the PHS Village kids can learn first-hand how to create a home vegetable garden.

Attention Girl Scouts! If your child is a Girl Scout who is 17 years of age or younger and comes to the Show in her Scout uniform on Sunday, March 7, she will be admitted to the Show for $7. Girl Scouts Day at the Show is a time to celebrate the achievements of Scouts who have participated in the new Pennsylvania Horticultural Society patch program, “Planting Seeds, Growing Lives.”

Special Priced Girl Scouts Day tickets ($7) are available on Sunday, March 7 only at the Show Box Office.

Children won’t want to miss the special youth entries (18 years and younger) in the intricate pressed plants category. The theme of this competition is Garden Friends. Also, look for animal topiaries; the weird and the wonderful winners in the plant competitions; and entries by local teens including Lower Merion High School’s front porch, Abington Senior High School’s front porch, Harrington High School’s window box, and Lower Cape May Regional High School’s “succulent scene” window box.

When it’s time to play, take a break in the enjoyable Family Lounge for parents and toddlers. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Family Lounge is located just outside the Show exhibition halls in Room 203. The folks from Fisher Price ® are on hand this year to hand out goody bags, play games, and provide play areas in the Lounge. Children must be accompanied by adults.

If you plan to capture all the fun in photographs, camera batteries and disposable cameras are available for sale at the official Flower Show Shoppe in the center of the exhibition halls. There’s also a special DVD of the 2010 Show, along with keepsakes for the whole family.

Have fun at the Flower Show and THINK SPRING!