Features

10th Annual Tropical Plant Fair Returns November 18-19, 2023

November 5, 2023

The Equality Garden Club is excited to announce their annual Tropical Plant Fair, their upcoming two-day outdoor event located in scenic Richardson Park and Nature Preserve, located at 1937 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors, Fl.

The Fair will include more than 40 plant vendors from around the state showcasing outstanding plants and related accessories. Industry professionals, amateur gardeners and plant lovers are invited to attend this signature event. Admission to the event is $5.00, good for both days. There is free admission for children 12 and under. Parking is free in the parking lot of Wilton Manors City Hall across the street, and free shuttles will be running continuously from the parking lot to the fairgrounds. There will be a free plant holding area where fairgoers can temporarily store their purchases until they are ready to leave the event. Park policy does not allow pets on the grounds.

Pat Ellson, Chairperson of the event says: “We have an eclectic group of vendors this year, and that is very much on purpose. I tried to give the best variety possible. Of course, because orchids are so popular, we wanted to have several orchid vendors and this year we have five – that’s the most of any one variety of plant. Many, if not most, of our vendors are small nurseries who grow their own plants. They are able to produce healthy, disease-free plants of better quality for the price. And I made a point to invite vendors who are introducing unique and different plants that you can’t find just anywhere. I put an emphasis on flowering plants so our shoppers will be able to find plants that will create floral displays in their gardens in every season.”

In addition, the Master Gardeners of Broward County will be on hand giving information on gardening in our South Florida environment. The Friends of Wilton Manors Parks and the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society will also be sharing information on their organizations.

Come visit the beautiful Richardson Park, stroll among the trees and booths and experience a wonderful assortment of beautiful trees, flowering shrubs, cycads, tillandsias, rare palms and other tropical exotic plants that will be featured along with outstanding orchids, bromeliads, heliconias and gingers. All plants will be available for sale.

Proceeds of the plant fair benefit the club’s projects and activities including support of local charitable organizations. The club is currently working with Wilton Manors Elementary School to restore their very large butterfly garden. This project will enable the students to learn not only about plants in the garden but also about the amazing lifecycles of butterflies. For the second year the club has also cooperated with the City of Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society, and Fairchild Tropical Garden to plant almost 900 native Florida orchids in the trees of Richardson Park. This year’s fairgoers will be able to see the results of this project.

When I asked Bob May, President of Equality Garden Club, his thoughts, he said: “We’re very excited for our tenth anniversary Tropical Plant Fair which we are holding once again on the weekend before Thanksgiving. We are very lucky that Equality Garden Club has such an active membership, and dozens of our members will be volunteering on the weekend of the fair to put on this, our club’s signature annual event. This year one of the fair’s most popular features will be returning – the plant sale at our membership tent. Our members have been busy dividing and propagating their favorite plants to bring to our member table for sale at really bargain prices. This is an opportunity not to be missed.”

Equality Garden Club is a 501(c)3, non-profit garden club, based in Wilton Manors, FL.

The club meets the 3^rd Wednesday of the month at 7pm in the Wilton Manors Hagen Park Community Center, providing world-class speakers to educate and entertain the membership.

For more information on Equality Garden Club and/or A Tropical Plant Fair go to their website: Equalitygardenclub.com.