By Carol Williams, Mobile County Master Gardener
Pictured (left) is the living sculpture display by Mobile County Master Gardeners at this year’s Providence Foundation’s Festival of Flowers in Mobile’s Cathedral Square.
MCMG’s Don Fry recruited new Master Gardener members at the Festival! (above right). (Pictures by Julie Conrey)
Last year, many Mobile County Master Gardener volunteers were excited about the upcoming Providence Foundation’s annual charity event, the Festival of Flowers, a massive floral show drawing thousands of visitors. Then, just before the event, COVID-19 shut down our nation and the Festival.
Even though COVID restrictions continue this spring, Providence Foundation created a new format for their Festival of Flowers. Many horticultural professionals, local high school students, and MCMGs created floral sculptures for display outdoors in downtown Mobile, March 12-13. MCMGs Julie Conrey, Paula Reeves, Marianna Parker, Alice Marty, Joy Earp, and Donna Kelly, constructed our sculpture. Mobile artist April Livingston guided us, and Grace Jones and her students from Bryant Career Technical Center agriculture program grew the plants used for the sculpture. Jeremy Wiggins from One Stop Services provided the potted plants. Visitors contributed money to vote for the best display, to benefit Providence Foundation.
Beth Malpas, left, a Mobile County Master Gardener, who works at A-Bloom, did a workshop showing attendees how to create a floral sculpture. Her entry in a separate booth won the show! (Picture by Julie Conrey)
Mobile County Master Gardners promote the Alabama Cooperative Extension’s Grow More, Give More initiative. Pictured is MCMG president Elise Saunders discussing the initiative with Mobile’s Fox TV affiliate Studio 10 host, Joe Emer. (screen shot from FOX 10 video)