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Paradise by the greenhouse lights
Jim Bush
Shrug out of your winter coat, ditch the hat and gloves, and dig out that Hawaiian shirt that’s been taunting you month after frigid month. It’s time to heat things up with some Spree-sponsored revelry. Spring may not quite be fully here yet, but Paradise Under Glass and Plantasia are two events that usher in the season every year around these parts.
Paradise Under Glass turns up the thermostat with a toasty warm cocktail party as a preview of the always-fragrant Spring Flower Show at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Scurry over to the Gardens Friday, March 19, from 6 to 9 p.m., for an array of food, drinks, and friends. Enjoy a carefree and fun atmosphere while you’re on hiatus from the cold. The music of Star 102.5 will set the mood and the station’s own Sue O’Neil hosts the event. “It’s a fun party with a tropical theme … in Buffalo … in March,” says Erin Grajek, director of marketing for the Botanical Gardens. “It’s something you can’t find anywhere else.”
Tickets and information for the event can be found by either visiting www.buffalogardens.com or by calling 827-1584 ext. 305. With over 300 guests at last year’s event enjoying a mix of beautiful gardens, great refreshments, and good conversation, the 2010 soiree is sure to be a smash.
Not far down the road, Plantasia, the area’s premier garden and landscape show, takes root at the Agri-Center and Expo Building at the Hamburg Fairgrounds from March 25 to 28. Aimed at expert and novice plant lovers alike, the show is chock-full of free seminars taught by certified professionals. There are also plenty of activities for kids, including an activity center, play area, and hands-on classes.
The heart of the show is a display of numerous fully landscaped theme gardens designed by local landscapers encompassing 15,000 square feet of blooming trees, shrubs, flowers, water gardens, patios, and more. A Garden Market provides attendees with the chance to browse and purchase a wide range of houseplants, tools, containers, and related items.
Here’s a hot tip: you can beat the crowds, enjoy a few snacks, and witness the excitement of discovering which demonstration gardens have won awards, by attending the special preview night we’re sponsoring onsite on Wednesday, March 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. Preview night is a Buffalo Spree exclusive; tickets are available only at www.buffalospree.com. To learn more about the rest of the show, and to purchase tickets, visit www.plantasiany.com.
Winter, begone! It’s time to stop shoveling that snow and start smelling those roses. But act fast—given the phenomenal and ever-growing popularity of both these annual rites of spring, you’ll want to get your tickets pronto.
Chris Musial is a junior at Medaille College and a 2010 Spree intern.
