The theme of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s annual Philadelphia International Flower Show, running from March 4 to 11 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, is “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha.”
In keeping with the theme, we saw thousands of orchids, in a Technicolor array of hues, and a riot of bromeliads, ginger, flashy heliconias and birds-of-paradise, anthurium andraeanum or flamingo flowers and, in some exhibits, pineapples, mangoes, carambola or star fruit, coconuts, and bananas.
Hawaiian dancers acted out ancient island stories under the palm fronds and beside a waterfall. Grass and flower skirts were displayed and flowers adorned such airy arrangements of bamboo pipes that they seemed ready to take flight or float over the water.
On a solemn note, there was a “Remembrance” tribute to the U.S.S. Arizona, lost at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On seasonal notes, there were the traditional fragrant lilies and tulips, hyacinths and daffodils. We saw leafy creations shaped into rings and topiary turtles and other animals. In the market place, Greg stocked up on cacti and we sampled dips and bought savory spices and herbs.
Nephew Mickey and girlfriend, Becky, joined us for at time at the show.
After an interlude at the Reading Terminal Market, a block from the Convention Center, for tasty soup and cornbread, at Beck’s Cajun Café, and delectable treats from Sweet as Fudge Candy Shoppe, we repaired to nearby favorite restaurant, Vietnam Palace, for dinner with brother Brian and significant other Kaitlin and dear friends Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman 2009 and Philadelphia Leather Pride Night producer Cowboi Jen and spouse Tina.