The 88th annual Bradner Flower Show returns to the historic Bradner Hall next weekend, April 8-10.
The Bradner Flower Show was started in 1928 by area pioneer Fenwick Fatkin as a venue for local growers to showcase their daffodils, and Bradner has become famous as the “Daffodil Capital of Canada.”
A small rural hamlet with a wonderful sense of community; the show is produced by the Bradner Community Club, a longstanding service organization operated on a purely volunteer basis. Fenwick’s family is involved in the show to this day, with granddaughter Pauline serving as co-chair of the show. Each year several thousand people arrive to take in the displays and activities at the show.
Organizers are planning an event that is interesting, informative and most of all, fun.
On Friday, April 8, Peter Fitzmaurice will be special guest to open the show. Fitzmaurice is a vice president at GardenWorks, and, you may have seen him on Global TV where he appears regularly as the Saturday morning gardening expert.
Fitzmaurice will be on hand at 1 p.m. just outside the doors in the “Speaker’s Corner” to answer all of your gardening questions. At 2 p.m. he will preside over the opening ceremonies for the show, where there will be a performance by the much loved Bradner Elementary Hand Bell Choir.
Other special guests throughout the weekend include Bert the Mole Man, Chris Bodnar of Glen Valley Organic Farm, Chef Pamela E, and demonstrations from local wineries Singletree and Campbell’s Gold.
In addition to the hundreds of varieties of daffodils that local growers present each year, there will be plant sales, crafts, and lots of food.
On Saturday and Sunday there will be additional displays in the Bradner School gym that will include Gerry Powers of the Central Valley Naturalists, who has an amazing birds of prey display, the Langley Spinners and Weavers and too many more to list.
In keeping with the show's “Jazz Up Your Garden” theme, there will be several musical performances by such local artists as Ryan McAllister, the always lively Circle of Friends Band and West Coast Fiddlers.
As an added feature, this year’s show will be decorated by the floral designers at Simply Perfect Flowers, and organizers are expecting something spectacular from this innovative and creative group of experts. You will not want to miss seeing what they come up with.
The show dates are April 8, 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at Bradner Hall, 5305 Bradner Rd., in Abbotsford. Admission is still only $2; a true bargain for a full day of family fun.
For more information visit Facebook.com/BradnerHall, bradnerflowershow@gmail.com or call 604-856-8441.
This event is a community fundraiser. In addition, all proceeds from cut flowers will be donated to Abbotsford Regional Hospital & Cancer Centre.
