FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2000
Lowcountry Anticipates New Arrival in the Spring
(Charleston)---Mark the calendar! Charleston’s expecting a new arrival this spring!
Following the success of the three Plant and Flower Festivals in the Pee Dee, Midlands, and Piedmont regions of South Carolina, a fourth festival has been planned for the lowcountry. Since there is not a State Farmers Market in the lowcountry, the first annual Charleston Spring Plant and Flower Festival will be held at the Exchange Park (Coastal Carolina Fairgrounds) on Highway 78, Ladson. The new festival will be held Thursday April 6 through Saturday April 8 from 8 AM to 6 PM and Sunday April 9 from 1 PM to 6 PM.
The Plant and Flower Festivals are designed to assist the state’s greenhouse growers and nurserymen market their products to a larger group of consumers. The festivals also offer consumers easier access to fresh, local South Carolina ornamental plants, flowers, and lawn and garden products. In 1999 the three festivals in Columbia, Florence, and Greenville attracted over 120,000 visitors. These events are sanctioned by the state’s ornamental horticulture agribusiness men and women. Many depend on these events to sell a large portion of their annual production.
The Charleston Plant and Flower Festival will feature all types of plants
and flowers (tropical and local varieties), birds houses, lawn and garden
equipment, outdoor furniture, garden statues, topiaries, seeds and other
needs to spruce up the lawn and garden for spring. In addition to the abundance
of products
that will be available, the Charleston County Clemson Extension Service
will provide seminars and the area’s Master Gardeners will be on-hand to
give advice to gardeners. Admission for the 4-day event will be free and
ample parking will be available.
Veteran and would-be gardeners are invited to come early. Event planners also encourage visitors to bring family and friends, wear comfortable shoes, and enjoy the outing. And, they say to bring a small wagon or cart as well as a vehicle big enough to transport all the great purchases that are sure to be made.
The event is co-sponsored by the Charleston County Clemson Extension Service and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. From I-26 take Exit 203 and follow the signs to the Exchange Park (Coastal Carolina Fairgrounds) on Highway 78, Ladson.
For exhibit or other information about the Charleston Spring Plant and
Flower Festival or any of the other three festivals contact: Dick Felder
(dfelder@scda.state.sc.us)
or Mary Ridgeway (mridge@scda.state.sc.us)
or call them at (803) 734-2210, or FAX them at (803) 734-2192. In the Charleston
area, contact: Brian Smith (fsmith@clemson.edu)
or call (843) 722-5940, or
FAX (843) 722-5944.
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