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no commentsFarmers Branch annual Celebration of Roses is Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Gussie Field Watterworth Park Pavilion. This event puts the “Bloom” in the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival that starts on Friday, October 18 in the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Volunteers, including some Master Gardeners, will be in the gardens from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to answer questions as visitors take a self-guided tour of six gardens. Shuttles provide easy access between the Farmers Branch Historical Park and the gardens so that festival guests can easily enjoy all that there is to experience throughout the weekend.
The event begins at Gussie Pavilion with free registration starting at 8:30 a.m. Pickin’ in the Garden is from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. and The Purple Hulls will perform in the main rose garden. Hands on Flower Arranging begins at 10:30 a.m. and the Brookhaven Garden Club will help you create a Pint Size Bouquet that you can display in the Rose Show and take home at the end of the event.
“The most amazing thing about the Celebration of Roses is that it’s the one time of the year you will be able to pick roses and make arrangements,” says Pam Smith, park landscape manager.
At 11:30 a.m., enjoy a complimentary hot dog lunch near Rawhide Creek in the Gussie Pavilion. Tom and Loyd, the Original Shady Grove Ramblers will give a toe tapping performance until 1:00 p.m.
Visitors to the Celebration of Roses are invited to the Dallas Rose Society Fall Rose Show, which will be at City Hall from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Talk and get tips from rosarians and learn about new roses, admire the blooms, and browse the lovely floral designs.
Artists and anyone interested can create a trading card or two in the Historical Park Rose Garden with the Visual Art League of Lewisville.
The gardens of Farmers Branch have developed over the past 10 years into a fragrant urban oasis. Established in 2008 as a trial garden in partnership with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, it has expanded to include trials for sustainability and is the only public garden in the country with sanctioned trials for David Austin roses. A hybridizer from England, David Austin has brought the fragrance back into modern roses.
“It’s intoxicating when you’re in the garden with the David Austin roses,” says Smith. “It’s one thing to say it’s easy to grow roses in England, but it’s different in Texas.”
Smith says the interactive experience has something for everyone.
“You can come with your girlfriends, or on a date,” she says. “The grandparent in me appreciates the playground for the kids. It’s a great family experience.
Admission to the Celebration of Roses is free and parking is available at the park or at City Hall. Located near the Lyndon B Johnson Freeway and I-35E, Gussie Field Watterworth Park is only 30 miles from downtown Ft. Worth and is accessible by the DART Green Line. Discover everything going on in Farmers Branch on Facebook.
