Flowermart 2010 | May 7 & 8

FLOWERMART 2009:
Delightful despite the Drizzle

The 92nd Flowermart was a little damp, but the volunteer committee did a great job to bring it all together and much fun was had by all. We are already working on Flowermart 2010, which will take place on Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8, 2010, from 11 AM to 8 PM both days. Stay tuned for details.

Vendors: the advance contract for 2010 may be found on the Vendors page

FLOWERMART 2008:
A photo montage...

Photos by John Valentini (from left to right): Richard Sher with Miss Maryland 2007 and Miss Southern Maryland,
Governor Schaefer and Lourdes Morales, Governor Schaefer and Mrs. Clarisse Mechanic.

Photos by John Valentini (from left to right): Flowermart Chair, Carol Purcell and two Miss Maryland’s,
The Flower Girls are a Flowermart tradition, former Governor Marvin Mandel.

After the Breakfast was over, the Booth Decorating contest judges walked around the Mart to evaluate the beautifully decorated booths. Last year’s colors were fuchsia and black, which were incorporated in amazing ways. It will be fun to see what the vendors do with this year’s colors of PEACH and BLACK and the theme of
“Monet at Giverny, peachy time in Mt. Vernon”.

Photos by John Valentini and Jo Suman (from left to right): Towson Catholic's colorful explosion,
Booth Decoration judge Morales, Bee-Jeweled booth.

While some festival-goers were admiring the beautifully polished classic cars in the East Park, the opening ceremony was about to begin.

Photos by Jo Suman.

Tony Pagnotti was the emcee for the opening ceremony and introduced the speakers: Judge and First Lady Catherine O’Malley, Mayor Sheila Dixon, Flowermart Director Carol Purcell, City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and US Postmaster William Ridenour, who bestowed the honor of Flowermart 2008 Honorary Postmaster on Rhea Feikin. Who will be the Honorary Postmaster this year?

Photo by John Valentini: The Baltimore City Honor Guard opening the Flowermart.

Doves flew from a white wicker basket on the stage and singer/songwriter Pat O’Brennan led the crowd in the singing of the Flowermart official theme song, “It’s Spring in Baltimore”. Then the First Lady and Mayor Dixon joined together in counting down from 10 with the crowd, and Flowermart was officially open.

Photo by Mark L. Dennis: Honorable Mayor Sheila Dixon with Judge and First Lady Catherine O’Malley.

Approximately 150 vendors displayed their wares on both Friday and Saturday. Flowers were sold in colorful and varied abundance: seeds, bedding and carnivorous plants and hanging baskets from both commercial vendors and Archdiocese schools.

The arts and crafts were unique and convenient as gifts for Mother’s Day, which took place on the next Sunday. Art glass in the form of mobiles, sculptures, garden stakes, jewelry, colored fabrics, handmade greeting cards, unusual handbags, wooden frogs with sound, pottery, iron garden items, photographs and original paintings were just a few of the unique items available from our wonderful vendors.

Non-profit, government and wellness vendors completed the colored fabric of the sales pavilions.

Photos by John Valentini and Jo Suman (from left to right): Cylburn Arboreum booth, Alliance booth, Reservoir Hill booth.

Photos by John Valentini and Jo Suman (from left to right): Art in Glass booth, Out of the Blue booth, FutureCare booth.

The family entertainment was almost non-stop and the children enjoyed the BeeHive activities. The Zoo put on a puppet show, the Enoch Pratt Free Library brought their bookmobile for story-telling time, Bippity Boppity Boo amused the little ones, face-painting was available as were crafts for the kids to do from our civic partners. Stilt-walkers and clowns strolled about.

Photos by John Valentini and Jo Suman (from left to right): First Lady Catherine O’Malley readng to children, balloon flower, Peek-a-boo!.

The festival-goers entered the four contests that took place during Flowermart.
The popular Hat and Cap contest took place on Friday afternoon. The contest featured many colorful and unusual handmade hats. See the grand prize winner on the Contests page.

Photos by John Valentini and Jo Suman (from left to right): Hat Contest entrant with Steve Fertig, Raffle ticket seller, even more Hat Contest entrants.

On Saturday, pets galore participated in the Pet Parade and Mascot contest. This was followed by the spirited Red Hat Contest, open to the many Red Hat Clubs active in the Baltimore area. Then at 2 PM, Russ Margo hosted the Flowermart Superstar contest, where the theme seemed to be spiritual songs. See the winners of all these contest on the Contest page.

Russ also did a terrific job rounding up many different types of entertainment: school choirs and bands, the Maypole dance on Friday morning, harmonizing vocal groups, bands, solo artists, Irish dancing and a martial arts demonstration. The crowds enjoyed every event, and dancing broke out occasionally.

Red Hat Winner
Photos by John Valentini and Jo Suman (from left to right): School band, Red Hat Contest winner, some great music.

Photos by John Valentini and Jo Suman (from left to right): Mirror Image performs, Martial arts demonstration, spontaneous dancing.

Of course, there was food: crab cakes, quesadillas, pit beef, lemonade, wine, ice cream
and the famous Lemonstick, a Flowermart tradition .
There will be even more this year.

Photo by John Valentini: Food Vendors.

Flowermart 2009 promises to be as varied and colorful and attendance is FREE; so come on down to the Washington Monument on Friday and/or Saturday, May 1 and 2, bring the kids, and leave your cares behind.