Sussex County Fairgrounds being transformed in preparation Springfest

| 29 Sep 2011 | 11:32

    Augusta - The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds is undergoing a colorful transformation. Flowers are being forced from their winter dormancy and carefully timed to be in full bloom for the 11th anniversary of the Springfest Flower & Garden Show scheduled for March 9 through 12. The show is known as “The Garden Lover’s Flower Show” featuring high-quality horticultural displays. The area’s landscape companies are busy building beautiful stone walls, laying patio stones, staining arbors and gazebos and creating magnificent waterfalls and ponds filled with colorful koi. This year’s display gardens are already looking more creative than ever, as each designer takes advantage of the new layout featuring paths throughout the gardens, bringing visitors close up to the fragrant flowers and allowing them to discover hidden garden treasures. Ken Druse, nationally renowned garden writer will return this year to judge the popular Window Box Competition featuring 12 inspiring designs. Visitors will enjoy an expanded show full of ideas and information to use in their own yards. After strolling through the gardens, one can stop to shop at the Marketplace, take in a garden lecture, dine in the Café or play Garden Treasure Hunt with the kids for fun prizes. New this year is “An Evening in the Garden.” On Friday evening, March 9 visitors to the show may stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens until 8 p.m. The Eleventh Annual Springfest Scholarship Gala has become a popular event for hundreds of garden lovers and agricultural dignitaries. The event starts on Saturday March 10, at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are required. Call Springfest for more information at 973-948-9448. Soon the dust of construction will settle at Springfest and the transformation will be complete. Doors open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on Friday, March 9.