Flowerful thinking outside the square

Rose and Iris Show - Lilian Phelps (vice president and in charge of floral art) standing next to Gail Cameron's work best floral art piece in show 'Creative Contrasts'.

“Outside the square” is the theme of the Floral Expo 2021 to be held this weekend.

Organised by Gisborne Floral Festival Inc, the expo will feature static displays, flower or garden-related stalls, demonstrations and entertainment.

Floral arrangement and woodturning are among demonstrations planned for the weekend while a kapa haka performance features among the entertainment.

Because certain popular flowers are out of season, iris, rose, and camellia group members have stretched their imaginations for their presentations, says Gisborne Floral Festival Inc president Wendy Davies.

More than 20 groups and individuals are expected to contribute to the Floral Expo which has 12 affiliates — the Poverty Bay Horticultural Society, Country Garden Club, Gisborne/East Coast Rose Society, Camellia Society, Gisborne Iris Club, Te Hapara Garden and Floral Art Club, Maori Women’s Welfare League, Women’s Institute, Friends of Eastwoodhill, Gisborne Floral Art Club, Gisborne/East Area Floral Art Society and the Wairoa Floral Art Group.

Gisborne had several floral arrangement clubs in the 1960s and 70s.

In 1962, Poverty Bay Gardening Circle held the city’s first floral festival.

By the 1990s the festival was a well-established tradition that used various venues but was in need of a suitable building.

After years of controversy, the Poverty Bay A&P Association amalgamated with the Floral Festival Inc and Poverty Bay Horticultural Society to build the event centre at the Showgrounds.

Now in their 90s, Lil Phelps and Lenore Barren are the only surviving members of the original group.

■ Floral Expo 2021 is being held at Farmers Air Event Centre on Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Entry is $5. Entry is free for children under 10.