Leongatha in bloom for festival
WITH less than a fortnight until Leongatha Daffodil Festival and Australian National Daffodil Championships, the entire Leongatha community has banded together to produce what is set to be the biggest festival yet.
This year marks the third time Leongatha has hosted the prestigious championships, with breeders from across the country descending on the town to showcase their own cross pollinated species of flower.
Sue Thompson, president of the Leongatha Horticultural Society and secretary of the Victorian Daffodil Society, said the event was sure to be a success with community groups getting involved in many aspects of the event.
“I am a bit nervous but everything is under control. It is stressful leading into the event however we have received replies from our mail out so we know there are people coming from far and wide,” Mrs Thompson said.
“We have top level judges coming to adjudicate the competition from Bendigo and Kyneton.”
The recent launch of the Spring is South Gippsland website has provided wider exposure of the festival with information, maps and an upcoming program ensuring all visitors can make the most of the massive weekend.
“The website has been great for the festival because it gets the word out to the younger generation. We really want to include youth in the festival as much as we can. It is great to see gardening becoming more popular for all ages,” Mrs Thompson said.
The Leongatha Daffodil Festival has received overwhelming support from community groups.
The Country Women’s Association has decorated the AW Smith and Sons window display for its fortieth year. St Peter’s Leongatha Church will once again display a variety of exquisite flowers with morning and afternoon tea on offer.
“We have worked hard to incorporate the entire community into the event. We have many organisations and school groups participating this year,” Mrs Thompson said.
“There really is something for everybody.”
The South Gippsland Historical Automobile Club will be showcasing a number of classic and vintage cars on the Saturday while the woodworkers club will be have a display. The Lions club will be helping to set up the stalls while the streets will be filled events and activities for the whole family.
The Australian Daffodil Championships will see breeders and growers from Victoria and interstate come together for 13 divisions of daffodil competitions; each subdivided into various categories for what will be a broad program spanning the weekend.
For anyone interested in taking up the mantle, Hancocks will be selling daffodil bulbs simple enough for the least green thumbs in town to grow.
“Daffodils love the climate here. People can purchase bulbs at the festival which can be planted with ease to produce maximum effect in the garden. It really is not difficult and they come up year after year,” Mrs Thompson said.
There will be a number of plant stalls, demonstrations and displays over the weekend for anybody wishing to get involved.
“There is nothing better than ferreting around some garden stalls and finding some hidden treasures to add to the garden,” Mrs Thompson said.
The Leongatha Daffodil Festival commences Friday, September 11 and runs through to Sunday, September 13.
First rate flowers: Sue Thompson, president of the Leongatha Horticultural Society and secretary of the Victorian Daffodil Society, with flawless daffodils from her garden, some of which will be on display at the Leongatha Daffodil Festival next week.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Sep 2 2015. Filed under Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
