GREEN THUMB: ABC’s Gardening Australia presenter Sophie Thomson will be this year’s Festival of the Garden special guest.
GRIFFITH is set to be overrun with gardening enthusiasts when the city turns into a horticultural haven during its annual Festival of the Gardens.
With new gardens to see and events to attend, Festival of the Gardens chairperson Pat Cox said this year was expected to be one of the best.
“There are 10 gardens open this year, including quite a number which are opening for the first time,” she said.
“They’re all different sizes and have different features – from formal gardens to rambling country gardens, there’s a huge range to see.
“It’s important to have new gardens and new attractions each year to keep the festival alive and fresh.”
The festival launch at St Alban’s Cathedral, featuring bell ringing and quilt displays, will kick-start the festivities on Friday, October 12 at 6pm.
This will then be followed by two days of garden tours, a dinner dance on the Saturday night at the Griffith Ex-Servicemen’s Club and a wind-down Jazz in the Park experience on the Sunday night.
Along with new private gardens going on display, Cr Cox said Murrumbidgee Irrigation was also opening its garden which had some very interesting environmental features.
The main street will also be abuzz with the Griffith Business Chamber holding a bugs and butterflies shop-front display competition, the Griffith Regional Art Gallery’s Flower Power exhibition open for viewing and the hugely popular citrus sculpture display on again.
ABC Television’s Gardening Australia presenter Sophie Thomson is set to be the Festival of the Gardens special guest and will take part in many of the events organised over the weekend.
For more information, contact Griffith Visitors Information Centre on 1800 681 141 or go to www.visitgriffith.com.au
