My mother and I always go to the Arkansas Flower & Garden Show together for her birthday.  It’s a fun time to plan and dream about gardens we want to build in the spring.  This year however we won’t be able to go because my daughter is participating in the Youth America Gran Prix (ballet competition) and I’ll be out of town.   (Ironically the theme for this year’s show is “That’s Entertainment!”)

So, you know I was overjoyed when my friends at Arkansas Women Bloggers asked if I would come to a preview party for the show!  Meaning I wouldn’t miss everything, and would get to visit with some lovely people!  (By the way, if you are a blogger getting with a group like ARWB is something you WANT to do.  I’ve made some great friends, learned so much, and been able to participate in things I would never have known about otherwise!)
The hosts, Clark Trim and Chef Hendrik Thostrup, are the owners of Colonial Wine & Spirits.  They had wine/food pairings which were very educational and delicious (even if I couldn’t partake of everything in my quite pregnant state.) I took notes so I know what to buy for my next party!

Beautiful Table! 

Centerpiece Idea with a Shallow Bowl and Cut Flowers

Chris Olsen, of Botanica Gardens, gave a great presentation on tablescaping with hints out of his book “Five Seasons”.

How to Arrange a Coffee Table Display

Gorgeous Quartz Bowl (You can Make) with Succulents

The Arkansas Flower & Garden Show is a non-profit organization that’s mission is to promote gardening and beautification of Arkansas, promote local horticultural businesses, and educate the public about gardening, landscaping, and floral design.  The proceeds from the show go to support college scholarships in horticultural related fields in Arkansas and to fund “The Greening of Arkansas” grant program which gives communities throughout Arkansas funds for beautification.

Along with the fun night we got some great swag (and what blogger doesn’t love some swag?)  So a big thanks to all the great folks who donated to that cause- Colonial Wine & Spirits, Antique Brick Outdoors, River Valley Horticultural Products, Inc., The Good Earth Garden Center, Tammy Sue’s Critters, Ghidotti Communications, and anyone else I missed!)

For the most fun of all I was given tickets to give you for the show!
If you’d like to go please leave a comment below.  Make sure to tell me how many you’d like.
I have several to give away and will go down the list of winners until they are gone!
*If you can’t wait to see if you’ve won you can pre-buy tickets HERE.
Adults are $8
Seniors $6
3 day pass is $12
Kids under 16 are FREE!
Also free parking at Dickey Stephens Park in NLR.  Walk or take the shuttle for $1!

Disclosure- the Arkansas Flower & Garden show did give me tickets but all opinions are strictly my own.