Floriade 2012: flowers survive hail

On September 18, for a brief moment, the flowers at Floriade, the annual flower festival in Canberra—the nation’s capital—were pelted with hail stones. A thunderstorm, with rain and hail (not unlikely in Canberra’s spring) passed over the sight at Commonwealth Park for a few moments. According to the Canberra Times, about 1.2 millimetres of rain fell on the area. Fortunately the hail stones were small, and therefore there was no substantial damage.

Even if there was damage, the head gardener said that fresh flowers would blossom within a week because they maintain a display that lasts the entire month of the festival. The free festival, from September 15 to October 14 celebrates Floriade’s 25^th year with the theme: Be Spring Inspired.

In addition to blooms, gourmet gardens, bonsai trees, and landscaping designs, Floriade also has gardening stalls, food, rides, children’s events and a Kid’s Corner, bands, and world-music artists.

Nightfest returns this year with five nights of entertainment from Wednesday September 26 to Sunday September 30. This includes a synthesis of lights, a variety of music and bands, a glow bar to relax with cocktails, a comedy stage, circus artists, and a butterfly lounge (a DJ line-up of entertainment). Nightfest, from 6:30-10:30pm, is ticketed at $25.00 for adults, $10 for children (5-16 years) with family, pensioner, and student discounts. Bookings can be made online at ticketek.com or any Ticketek outlet, or onsite at Floriade at the Information Marquee near the Regatta Point entry gate, or by telephoning 13-28-49

(http://floriadeaustralia.com)

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/precious-petals-survive-hail-at-floriade-20120918-264yt.html#ixzz26s1AvLT8

MARTINA NICOLLS

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MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of: The Paris Residences of James Joyce (2020), Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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