Flower festival up next month

Bloom admirers and ornamental plant enthusiasts are expected to flock once more to the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe on May 12 as the Saipan Nurserymen Association, Inc. will hold its second flower and ornamental plants festival.

Encouraged by the success of its pilot event last year, where some 20 green entries participated, the association is expecting a bigger turn out in this year’s event.

“We are anticipating a crowd of over a 100 people to come in this year’s bloom festival. This is the association’s small way of encouraging the community to beautify our surroundings by cultivating flowers and ornamental plants even in their own backyards,” event organizer JM Guerrero said.

Mr. Guerrero also noted the association intends to make the festival a staple in the Commonwealth’s calendar as a way of luring more tourists. He also hopes the event will help spur a revival in the cut flower and ornamental plant industry in the island.

At stake in the event is $1,500 in cash and gift certificates. The prize money will be up for grabs in ten categories namely, palms, orchid, bougainvillea, ixora, hibiscus, cactus, bonsai, croton, dieffenbacchia and hanging plant.

First prize winners will receive $75 in cash and $25 worth of gift certificates. While second place finishers will get $25 in cash and $25 in gift certificates.

Judges for the event will be made up of representatives of flower and plant nurseries, Marianas Visitors Authority, Commonwealth Development Authority, Northern Marianas College, Saipan Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Natural Resources.

The event will also feature a landscaping demonstration by four of the largest landscape companies in the island.

The Saipan Nurserymen Association is made up of Calvo’s Nursery, Saipan Plant Center, Inc. , Landscapers Micronesia and Tropical Garden.

Saipan’s second flower and ornamental plants festival is also co-sponsored by the MVA and CDA. It is also being supported by Ace Hardware, Saipan Garden Center, Inc., and Saipan Tribune.

Interested parties can pick up registration forms from Calvo’s Nursery, Saipan Plant Center, Tropical Garden and Landscapers Micronesia.

The second flower and ornamental plants festival on May 12 will start at 9 am and will conclude by 3pm. It charges a registration fee of $10 for amateur participants.