Preparing for Springfest at the fairgrounds

Augusta — The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds is undergoing a colorful transformation. Flowers are being forced from their winter dormancy and carefully timed to be in full bloom for the 11th anniversary of the Springfest Flower and Garden Show, to be held on March 9-12. The show is known as “The Garden Lover’s Flower Show” featuring high quality horticultural displays. The area’s finest landscape companies are busy building beautiful stone walls, laying patio stones, staining arbors and gazebos and creating magnificent waterfalls and ponds filled with colorful koi. This year’s display gardens are already looking more creative than ever, as each designer takes advantage of the new layout featuring paths throughout the gardens, bringing visitors close up to the fragrant flowers and allowing them to discover hidden garden treasures. Ken Druse, nationally renowned garden writer will return this year to judge the popular Window Box Competition featuring 12 inspiring designs. Visitors will enjoy an expanded show full of ideas and information to use in their own yards. After strolling through the gardens, one can stop to shop at the Marketplace, take in a garden lecture, dine in the Café or play Garden Treasure Hunt with the kids for fun prizes. New this year, “An Evening in the Garden.” Visitors to the show may relax and enjoy Friday evening, March 9, strolling through the beautifully landscaped gardens until 8 p.m. The elegant evening of “The Eleventh Annual Springfest Scholarship Gala” has become a popular event for hundreds of garden lovers and agricultural dignitaries. The event starts on Saturday March 12, at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are required. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on Fridays, throughout the festival. Call 973-948-9448 for more information or visit www.springfestgardenshow.org.