(c) By Jim Fox
It’s time to get into the
spring spirit, be close to reptiles and other critters, and take an adventure
along the Yellow Brick Road.
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| A planter by Laura Barker of Catherine Wright Designs |
Reflect on spring
A taste of spring in these
lingering winter days can be found at the Stratford Garden Festival.
Reflections is the theme
for the show from Feb. 28 to March 3 presented by the Lung Association at the
Stratford Rotary Complex (353 McCarthy Rd.).
“Whether it is considering
the garden as a place of quiet reflection or actually creating a reflecting
pool surrounded by lush plant material, the festival landscapers will certainly
bring the theme of ‘Reflections’ to life,” said Deedee Herman, the association’s
area manager.
Some of the designs will
include “beautiful water features and reflecting ponds,” while others will “convey
the idea that gardens can reflect the past as well as offer visitors a place
for quiet reflection,” she said.
There will be practical
ideas to apply to home gardens – from water features to the use of colour and
form, designing a quiet green oasis and creating a modern setting for outdoor
entertaining.
“All will delight the
senses with a kaleidoscope of floral colour and the heady fragrance of blooming
flowers and mulch,” Herman said.
With nine display gardens
and a “living wall,” the theme will be demonstrated with “beautifully-designed
planters” throughout the festival space.
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| A canoe is incorporated into an exhibit by Daniel Shoag Landscaping at the Stratford Garden Festival last year. |
The Marketplace is a treat
for garden enthusiasts with the latest in plants and seeds, hand-crafted
pottery, garden accessories, whimsical bird houses, metal work and furniture.
Guest speakers including Frank
Ferragine and Carson Arthur will give the “real dirt on gardening.”
A Seniors’ Tea takes place
on Feb. 28 while that night is the Opening Garden Party with food, drinks, music and
an auction ($30 for tickets), and Family Fun
Night is March 1.
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| Everything's in bloom in Stratford |
Admission costs $9; no
charge 12 and younger. Hours are Feb. 28, noon to 5 p.m.; March 1, 10 a.m. to 8
p.m.; March 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and March 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. stratfordgardenfestival.com; (519)
271-7500
Hissing and rattling
Venom is making an
appearance at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory (2565 Niagara Parkway)
in Niagara Falls.
The show, created
by Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo of Ottawa, continues through May 12.
Billed as a “new family
friendly educational exhibit,” it includes tarantulas, scorpions, poisonous
toads, rattlesnakes, vipers and one of only two king cobras on display in
Canada.
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| Tarantulas are part of the show in the Falls |
Interpreter Kevin
Dungey leads educational programs to “learn the truth and dispel the myths”
about these creatures.
Tickets for the
conservatory and show cost $13.50; $8.80, ages six to 12; free, children to age
five. niagaraparks.com
Zoo to you
Here’s a chance to
“see wildlife up close” as the great outdoors moves indoors in Simcoe.
It happens at the
Norfolk Wildlife Festival and Adventure Show on March 9 and 10 at the Norfolk
County Fairgrounds (172 South Drive).
Zoo to You features
more than 30 animals such as an alligator, hissing cockroaches, a tarantula and
prairie dog, said publicist Wendy Brick.
Club Rex has prehistoric
dinosaur bones, teeth and claws while Elephant Thoughts is an interactive
science show.
There will be
planetarium shows, a chance to milk Bessie the cow, the Canadian Canine College’s
show, a huge climbing wall and “camp-style food,” among other attractions.
Hours are March 9,
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and March 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8; free, four
and younger. norfolkcountyfair.com;
(519) 426-7280
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| Danielle Wade stars as Dorothy |
Magical, musical adventure
Take a trip to Oz
as the Sheraton Centre Toronto and Westin Harbour Castle team up with Mirvish
Productions for a memorable getaway.
This includes a
“top-tier ticket” to the North American premiere of the Wizard of Oz, a
three-course dinner at a choice of restaurants and overnight accommodation,
said Cynthia Bond of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
The show at the Ed
Mirvish Theatre is “an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally
reconceived for its Toronto premiere,” she said.
The package is priced
at $179 a person, double occupancy, for performances to the end of March, with accommodation
at either the Sheraton Centre or Westin Harbour Castle. Call TicketKing, 1-800-461-3333.
Other packages are available through June.
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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