Flowers, fireworks and family fun
Shrewsbury Flower Show is the world’s longest running independent flower show. Nearly every year since 1875 – the only exceptions being during both world wars – the show has been held in the heart of Shrewsbury’s town centre.
On 12 and 13 August the beautiful 29-acre Quarry Park will be awash with wonderful flowers, fabulous food and live entertainment – the ultimate summer day out! This is one of the country’s premier flower show events, attracting top exhibitors from all over the country so expect fantastic floral displays, horticultural competitions and high quality trade stands.
With children 15 years and under admitted free when accompanied with an adult, and a dedicated children’s area which features lots of activities, unusual animals to see, ponies and ducks to pet, plus much more, Shrewsbury Flower Show is an ideal family day out.
The large Quarry Marquee is home to the top national nurseries and growers who create stunning displays to admire and inspire, whilst the Severn Marquee is full of home grown flowers and vegetables. Advice is on hand from many exhibitors and horticultural organisations. The Dingle is awash with beauty with spectacular floral art creations on display.
The arena offers a variety of entertainment to suit every taste. The major attraction for 2016 is The Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment who will perform twice each day with 24 horses. Other highlights include Grade A showjumping and Dingle Fingle comedy car act. There’s live music on Friday night from The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and on Saturday from The Christians. Throughout the event will be performances from choirs, while a massed band finale and stunning firework display wrap up the show on both nights.
For the green fingered visitors, horticultural expert Sarah Raven will be sharing gardening tips and advice. Sarah has written for The Daily Telegraph, Country Living, Gardens Illustrated, Gardeners’ World Magazine, The English Garden and Sainsbury’s Magazine. Her gardening and cookery books have won her a number of awards.
Sarah has presented on BBC Gardeners’ World and had a well-received TV series in 2012 called Bees, Butterflies and Blooms, following her attempts to flower up the nation to hugely increase insect habitat and food supply.
Over in the dedicated Foodhall celebrity chef Gizzi Erskine will be creating mouth-watering, indulgent but healthy food. Her edgy attitude has caught the attention of the fashion world and she regularly makes the fashion pages of the UK’s style magazines.
There are lots of great shopping opportunities in the large trade stands area and wonderful unique gifts are on offer in the craft marquee and artisan crafts and farmers’ market.
For more information go to http://shrewsburyflowershow.org.uk/