Lilly and Gianny Kapele (aged 5 and 3). Image: Marc O’Sullivan
Calling all green-thumbed enthusiasts! Bloom, Bord Bia’s gardening, food & family festival will be happening throughout this Bank Holiday Weekend in Phoenix Park, starting on Thursday.
A panel of judges will decide the winners of the large, medium and small concept garden categories, as well as the Postcard Gardens category, which features gardens that have been created by amateur gardeners from around the country.
Food will be an important part of this festival, including Bloom’s restaurant, café and seafood bar Bistro, and the Donnelly Fresh Food Parlour. There will also be demonstrations by some of Ireland’s best-known chefs, such as Neven Maguire, Catherine Fulvio, Kevin Dundon and Donal Skehan on the Quality Kitchen stage.
Bloom’s Show Manager, Gary Graham said: “Bloom 2014 is our eighth outing in the beautiful Phoenix Park, Dublin and Bord Bia is delighted to showcase our top chefs, gardening experts and entertainers who will be inspiring and educating crowds at the live stages. Our professional garden designers, horticulturists and passionate enthusiasts have excelled once again. Be prepared to be wowed by 30 wonderful gardens and 55 plant displays. Our nurseries, craft workers and artisan food and drink companies will be sharing their passion and tempting you to experience the best that Ireland has to offer.”
For budding Bloomers there will be a Bloom’s Children’s Zone, with a wide variety of fun to be had, including a stage which will feature irish dancing, as well as magic from Billy Bubbles, and some zany science from Scientific Sue. The Garden Activity Area will show children how to plant a care for flowers, even giving them the chance to decorate their own cardboard pot plants, and to bring a flower that they planted home with them. Children’s Books Ireland’s Book Clinic will recommend books to children and their families, while the Food Dudes stand will provide interactive entertainment for children, during which they will be encouraged to get their five a day. A Baby and Toddler Chill Zone will be provided by ClapHands, where they will host 30-minute story time and song time sessions for children of up to four years of age.
Blooms kicks off in Phoenix Park this Thursday, May 29th, and runs until June 2nd in Phoenix Park. An adult one day ticket costs €18 if booked in advance, or €20 if bought on the day, with a concession available for senior citizens. Children under the age of 16 get in free, and up to three children can attend with each paying adult. Further details of ticket prices can be found here.
By Aimée Mac Leod
