The Violet Gallery has been attending flower shows since 1989. Check back regularly for new shows added to our calendar. The following shows have currently been confirmed for 2010: (Events in this color type are over for this year)

The BIG show in March for us is the Philadelphia Flower Show. It's being held at the Philadelphia Convention Center, 12th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. It runs from Sunday, Feb. 28 through Sunday, March 7, 2010. This year the theme is "Passport To The World ". Obviously, an international theme. They are actually changing the name to The Philadelphia International Flower Show. Again this year (for a number of reasons I won't go into here), we are selling under the name of The Violet Rainbow, booth #304 & #306. We may be selling under The Violet Rainbow name, but it's still us, Brenda and Mahlen with the help of our daughter and some friends. This is promoted as the biggest and best flower show in the country and it lives up to those claims. The displays and gardens you see here rival anything you could find anywhere. If you haven't ever attended this show, you really should put it on your schedule. I'm sure you will be back.

The African Violet Society Of America (AVSA) National Convention April 11-18, 2010. in Raleigh, NC. It is being held at the Hilton North Raleigh, 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. The sales room is open to the public on Thursday & Friday, April 15 and 16. The AVSA has worldwide membership. If you join AVSA and register for the show, you can get in the sales room earlier in the week, plus join many tours and workshops on growing African violets. Click the link above and click Convention Info for a full schedule. At this show you will find some of the most knowledgable people in the country on African violets. Please come and help make this show a success. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Fall Garden Festival (sponsored by the Philadelphia Horticultual Society) , Saturday, Sep. 11 from 11AM - 4PM. The show is being held at the Marine Parade Ground at the Navy Yard on Broad Street and Constitution Avenue. The Admission is Free and open to the public. This is a new show for us. It should be great as it is sponsored by the same folks that put on the world famous Philadelphia International Flower Show. This is a family event with Music & Entertainment and Children's Activities and much more. I anticipate a festival type atomosphere. I encourage you to come out to Philadelphia on Saturday, September 11 and stop by our booth. Spend the weekend and see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and museums of your choice. While you are there be sure to get an original Philadelphia Cheese Steak sandwich.

The Ohio State African Violet Society Show, Sep. 17& 18 (Friday and Saturday). The show is being held again this year at the Kingwood Garden Center, 900 Park Avenue, Mansfield, OH 44906. This is a great end of summer show. Even if you're not into violets, you should visit the Kingwood Center and tour their acres of gardens. They are fabulous and I think most areas are free. There are some tours you can pay to join, but I haven't found it necessary to do that. If you are in the area you should stop in and spend some time (and money!) in the Market Place and tour the beautiful grounds (watch you don't step on a peacock!).

The Brethren Disaster Relief Auction, Sep 24 & 25 (Friday and Saturday) at the Lebanon Expo Center (aka Lebanon County Fairgrounds), Lebanon, PA. This is a great event with almost a carnival like atmosphere. All proceeds from this event benefit the Church of the Brethren Disaster Relief Fund. The money raised is used to help people and communities that have experienced disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina or Haiti earthquake victims. There are a number of events going on at all times along with great country-style home cooking and fresh Farmers Market fruit, vegetables, pies and other baked goods (some of those pies and sticky buns are to die for!). Parking and admission is free, but it's hard to leave this place empty handed or with an empty stomach!

The Mid-Atlantic African Violet Society (MAAVS) Show, this year is joining the New York State AVS and holding a combined show in Owego, NY (close to Binghamton) on Oct. 21 through Oct. 23, 2010. This is a great regional show. It moves around the Mid-Atlantic Region from North Carolina to New York. Members from all the mid-Atlantic area local African Violet Societies are invited to this show. If you like African Violets you should make every effort to attend. There are many vendors and hybridizers at this show from across the country. I will update with additional hotel information later in the year.

I hope to see you at one or more of these shows. Please stop by.

~ Happy Growing~

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