Do you know that it takes seven years or longer to develop a new variety of daffodil? How do they get the pollen off of a bee? How do you encourage the “good” bugs and discourage the unwanted pests in your garden?
Find out at the 87th annual Bradner Flower Show.
This year they are celebrating all of Mother Nature’s critters that inhabit our garden and are hoping to bring you a show that is interesting, informative and fun. Guests and activities at this year’s show will help you understand some of the aspects of growing flowers and vegetables with a focus on how we can help our gardens naturally, and without chemicals.
Organizers will have something different and of interest for everyone each day of the show.
On Friday, April 10, Jim Matteoni of Kwantlen Polythenic University and the Institute For Sustainable Horticulture will be special guest to open the show. After the opening, Jim will be on hand just outside the doors in the “Speaker’s Corner” to answer all of your gardening questions.
There will also be a performance by the famed and much loved Bradner Elementary Handbell Choir.
Other special guests throughout the weekend include Bert the Mole Man, Chris Bodnar of Glen Valley Organic Farm and Jim Sadowski, an expert on Mason bees. In keeping with what has proved popular with patrons, there will be demonstrations from local chefs, including Pamela E. Scott of Chef’s Pantry & Catering and Angie Quaale of Well Seasoned, who is also a newly elected Langley Township Councilor and appears regularly on Global TV.
There will also be demonstrations from Singletree Winery, Campbell’s Gold Meadery and Surlie Brewing.
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 the show will expand the venue to include 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 & Weavers and too many more to list will be on hand. There will also be musical performances from recording artist Ryan McAllister and the always lively Circle of Friends Band.
The show dates are April 10, 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at Bradner Hall, 5305 Bradner Rd., Abbotsford. Admission is still only $2.
For more information visit Facebook.com/BradnerHall, bradnerflowershow@gmail.com or call 604-856-8441.
This is a community fundraiser, and all proceeds from cut flowers will be donated to Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
Photo below by Harry Hunt: “Join the fight” and help support Canadians living with cancer by donating to the annual daffodil sales to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society. Otter Co-op hosted their booth on the weekend and sales continue here and elsewhere in the community.
