Rosalind
Deeply Rooted
Now I know the economy is circling the drain. The big New England flower show has been held every year for over a century. But in 2009, they are changing it to only one or possibly two small shows, not in the Bayside Expo. Since there's really only one other convention center in Boston big enough to hold a decent-sized show, I guess it'll be much much smaller with fewer vendors and less-elaborate displays. Which kinda sucks, it was comparable to the Philly show and now it sounds like, not so much.
I'm hoping they'll focus on more actual gardening vendors in 2009. The 2008 show was nice, don't get me wrong, I got a really nice handmade stoneware bean pot (for Boston baked beans, what else!), but what I desperately needed to find was local garden centers that had a good variety of plants, local sources for good tools, and local sources for good statuary. Some things, it's better to buy in person, so you know you're getting a decently solid tool, a good bushy plant, not-plastic-looking statuary, etc. and for that a garden show is awesome. Not that I don't like pottery thingies and socks with dogs embroidered on them, just...not at a garden show.
I was sorta wishing that they would get, I dunno, Whole Foods in to do the food for 2009, as the Bayside Expo was all fried greasy food. Which has its place at fairs and things, but when you go to a flower show and the first smell that knocks you over as you walk in the door is...Well, let's just say I was hoping for roses or spring bulbs, and was sorely disappointed. But Whole Paycheck catering is also spendy. So...eh, very sad.
I'm hoping they'll focus on more actual gardening vendors in 2009. The 2008 show was nice, don't get me wrong, I got a really nice handmade stoneware bean pot (for Boston baked beans, what else!), but what I desperately needed to find was local garden centers that had a good variety of plants, local sources for good tools, and local sources for good statuary. Some things, it's better to buy in person, so you know you're getting a decently solid tool, a good bushy plant, not-plastic-looking statuary, etc. and for that a garden show is awesome. Not that I don't like pottery thingies and socks with dogs embroidered on them, just...not at a garden show.
I was sorta wishing that they would get, I dunno, Whole Foods in to do the food for 2009, as the Bayside Expo was all fried greasy food. Which has its place at fairs and things, but when you go to a flower show and the first smell that knocks you over as you walk in the door is...Well, let's just say I was hoping for roses or spring bulbs, and was sorely disappointed. But Whole Paycheck catering is also spendy. So...eh, very sad.