June 16, 2018 - Boston Flora

Tuesday, July 3 – Saturday, July 7 – National Gesneriad Convention

June 16, 2018 by Boston Flora

The Gesneriad family includes African violets as well as Gloxinias, Streptocarpus, Kohlerias, Epicias, Sinningias and approximately 3,400 species, thousands of hybrids and intergenerics.

This national convention will include seminars on cultivation and recent research of this diverse plant family. Bus tours are offered of local and private nurseries and greenhouses. The convention will culminate with a judged Flower Show and there are categories for first-time/novice growers so come and show off your favorite African Violet or gesneriad.

You will find Convention information including links to the Flower Show Schedule, an Entry Form for submitting a plant to be judged at the Flower Show, and much more at the website noted below. Plants for judging must be brought in Thursday between 2:30PM-6:00PM with pick up on Saturday from 3:00PM to 4:00PM. The Flower Show will be open for viewing free of charge (after the plants have been judged in the morning), on Friday 2:30PM to 6:30PM and on Saturday 8:30AM to 3PM.

The Plant Sales ballroom will be open to the public Friday 9AM to 6PM and on Saturday 8:30AM to 3PM. The event takes place at the Sheraton Hotel & Convention Center, 1657 Worcester Road, Framingham, and is sponsored by the New England Chapter of the Gesneriad Society. For complete information visit http://www.gesneriadsociety.org/conventions/2018-convention-framingham-massachusetts/

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Saturday, June 23 – Strawberry Festivals

June 16, 2018 by Boston Flora

There are two general types of strawberry festivals : community festivals, usually organized by a church, school, local Chamber of commerce or a town, and strawberry festivals held at and by a farm. They are different in what they offer. Image below from www.bettycrocker.com.

On Saturday, June 23, from 11 – 3, the Bourne Historical Society Strawberry Festival will take place at the Aptucxet Museum Complex, 24 Aptucxet Road in Bourne. Strawberry short cake made with homemade biscuits and freshly whipped cream, hot dogs, burgers, chips and drinks will be available. Come have your lunch and dessert by the Cape Cod Canal. Antique Model Car Show – cars on display throughout grounds at Aptucxet Trading Post Museum lawns, a must-see for Antique car enthusiasts. This is a special festival and you will find something for everyone so plan to spend the afternoon at the Aptucxet Museum Complex. Free admittance but would the Museum would love for you to buy a strawberry shortcake for $5.00.

The same day, visit the Braintree Farmers Market Strawberry Festival at 1 JFK Memorial Drive in Braintree. Fresh local strawberries galore! C.N. Smith Farm will provide strawberries for the event. This year the Strawberry Shortcakes will be created by LollyCake Ladies. Many vendors will be creating products that use local, in-season strawberries. Tables & chairs will be provided under the Events Tent. Fresh picked, fragrant and juicy local strawberries will be available for purchase to take home as well. They also have a Clam & Lobster Feast on September 1.

Connors Farm, 30 Valley Road, Route 35, Danvers, will host its Strawberry Festival on June 23 from 9 – 6, with a rain date of Sunday, June 24. Activities include live music from noon to 4pm, plus Jumping Pillow, Farm Animals, Hayrides, Cow Train, Grain Train, Duck Races, Pedal Carts & more. Also: Food, Our Famous Strawberry Shortcake, BBQ, Pony Rides (12pm to 4pm), Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate, and Face Painting, vegetable seedlings, perennials, annual flowers, hanging baskets, vine-ripened tomatoes, lettuce, squash, carrots, beets, herbs and other fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh eggs, fresh pasta, jams, jellies, breads, cookies, hot coffees, homemade ice cream, frozen chicken and beef patties, and fruit pies, Apple Cider Doughnuts Weekend BBQ’s Champions BQ team will be serving up the best BBQ food. Connors Farm may be reached at 978-777-1245.

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