February 27– March 2, 2014 The Stratford Rotary Complex
“Beyond
the Garden Gate”
Few
things are as enticing as an open gate. The
image is an invitation to enter the space beyond and explore what surprises might
await.
The image created for the 2014
Stratford Garden Festival by artist Lasha Mutual conveys that sense of
anticipation and discovery that people will experience as they wonder through
beautiful display gardens inspired by the theme, “Beyond the Garden Gate”.
Presented
by The Lung Association and sponsored by Orr Insurance and Investment, The
Stratford Garden Festival is now in its 14th year.
Since its beginning in 2001, a net of more
than $750,000 has been raised through this event to support The Lung
Association in its medical research commitments and lung health initiatives
around asthma and COPD, such as the Asthma
Action Program, BreathWorks and Your
Healthy Home.
With as many as one in
five people in the province living with some kind of breathing problem, the
work of The Lung Association is more important than ever.
The Gardens
Eight
garden designers will interpret the theme “Beyond the Garden Gate” in a variety
of ways, but all will convey the sense of discovery inherent to the theme.
Not
only will visitors be delighted with the taste of spring the gardens deliver,
they will also take away ideas to apply to their own gardens - from water features to the use of colour and
form, from designing a quiet green oasis to creating a modern setting for
outdoor entertaining.
 |
| The Sebringville Garden
Centre display last year. This year features a fairy garden. |
Each garden will
delight the senses with a kaleidoscope of floral colour and the heady fragrance
of blooming flowers and mulch.
A
number of beautifully-designed planters on display in the lobby will create a
sense of anticipation of more to come.
The Marketplace
The
Stratford Garden Festival offers a Marketplace bursting with items to tempt the
garden enthusiast. From the latest in
plants and seeds to hand-crafted pottery, from garden accessories to whimsical
bird houses, and from metal work to garden furniture, there is something to
suit every taste and budget. The
Marketplace will feature a number of exhibitors new to the Stratford Garden
Festival in 2014 as well as many returning favourites.
 |
This friendly fellow was part of the garden designed by Daniel Shoag Landscaping
|
The Speaker Series
Everyone from the
gardening novice to the seasoned green thumb will learn something at the
ongoing Speaker Series where Ontario’s top garden gurus will give you the real
dirt on gardening.
Frank Ferragine
(aka “Frankie Flowers”) of Breakfast Television has an intriguing presentation
with “Power Plants – The Tops 10 Plants You Can Grow For Your Own Individual
Health”.
Carson Arthur of
HGTV’s coming show, Critical Listings, will advise on where best to invest your
gardening and landscaping dollars in “Show Me More Money”.
 |
Pottery by Richard Mund
|
Lorraine Johnson
will discuss combining vegetables in an ornamental garden while garden writer
and columnist David Hobson will
share “Best of British Gardens”.
Garden
Making Magazines’ Beckie Fox will
reveal her “Plant and Design Ideas for Beautiful Efficient Landscapers” and the
energetic and informative Paul Zammit
of the Toronto Botanical Gardens will be on hand to share his expertise.
Other presentations during
the four days include “Lotsa Hosta”, Ornamental Grasses, Gardens of the
Stratford Festival, Crops that Wow, Pruning Made Easy, and Japanese Maples, well
as Seasonal Flower Arranging demonstrations.
SPECIAL EVENTS
 |
| Looks like spring |
Seniors’ Tea – February 27
The
Garden Festival is open to everyone today but gardening aficionados 65 and over
are encouraged to come out on Thursday, February 27. This is an opportunity to enjoy the gardens,
visit the Marketplace and take in the speakers when the show tends to be less
crowded. With their $9 general admission,
seniors will receive a complimentary gourmet cookie and cup of tea.
Opening Garden Party –
February 27
The Opening Garden Party is
the ultimate sneak peek. From 6 - 8:30
pm guests can mingle with friends, wander through beautiful gardens and browse
the Marketplace while enjoying a glass of red or white from Pelee Island
Winery, a new cocktail from Diageo or a thirst-quencher from Sleeman Breweries . A wonderful selection of canapés showcasing
the Flavours of Perth prepared by local restaurants will tempt the palate and
live music in the gardens will add to the fun.
Auctioneer extraordinaire Stratford mayor Dan Mathieson and emcee Kevin Hulley will get the bids going on a host of things both fun and fabulous, including two tickets to Vancouver courtesy of Westjet and tickets to the VanDusen Botanical Garden, a L.A. Kings jersey signed by Jeff Carter, the original painting for this year’s Garden Festival, “Beyond the Garden Gate” by artist Lasha Mutual, dinner and theatre packages.
Family Fun Night – February
28
Family Fun Night, from 5 - 8 pm, offers a
rollicking good time for the whole family.
While their parents take in the gardens and Marketplace, the “little
sprouts” can create a garden craft, enjoy story-telling and face painting,
munch on free refreshments and take part in a scavenger hunt. As always, kids are admitted free.
Admission
to the Stratford Garden Festival is $9. at the door. Children twelve and under are free. Tickets to the Opening Garden Party can be
ordered by calling The Lung Association at 519-271-7500.
More information on directions, group
discounts, special events and speaker schedule is available at www.stratfordgardenfestival.com
or by calling The Lung Association.
At
A Glance
Event: The Stratford Garden Festival
Date: February 27 – March 2
Hours: Thursday, February
27 12 noon - 5 pm
Friday,
February 28 10 am - 8 pm
Saturday,
March 1 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday,
March 2
10 am - 5pm
Where: Stratford
Rotary Complex, 353 McCarthy Road, Stratford - directions on website www.stratfordgardenfestival.com
Admission: $9. at the door. Children 12 and under free
Group Rate: Pre-arranged groups of 12 or more
are $7/person
Theme: “Beyond the Garden Gate”
Presented
by: A
fundraiser to support the work of The Lung Association
Event
Sponsor: Orr
Insurance and Investment
Website: www.stratfordgardenfestival.com
Email: dherman@on.lung.ca
Phone: 519-271-7500
Contact: Deedee Herman, Area Manager
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