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March 10, 2009
Pat Kuehn, APR
Community Information Specialist

DOWNTOWN DELAND TO HOST WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL MARCH 28

Wildflowers, field trips and family fun will be in full bloom at the Florida Wildflower Festival, set for 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, March 28, in downtown DeLand. Admission and parking are free.

Presentations will include:

• 9 a.m.: “Launch of Florida wildflower tourism” by Herb Hiller
• 9:30 a.m.: “Growing and landscaping with wildflowers” by Jeff Norcini and Dana Venrick
• 10 a.m.: “A new twist on growing wildflowers” by Linda Landrum
• 10:30 a.m.: “Vera Lea Rinker Native Plant Garden at Stetson University” by Bill Gilbert
• 11 a.m.: “Florida beekeeping and honey-making” by Bill Frederickson
• 11:30 a.m.: "Tough and durable plants for the Central Florida landscape” by Tom MacCubbin

Vendors will sell potted wildflowers, wildflower seeds, books, honey, and arts and crafts throughout the day. Visitors can stop by display booths and learn how to make wildflower crafts, paper flower pots and honey. Other highlights include a butterfly house, kids’ art zone and entertainment.

In the afternoon, participants can take guided field trips to the Forest Groves Wildflower Farm in Crescent City, the Vera Lea Rinker Native Plant Garden at Stetson University, Hickory Bluff Preserve, Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, and a wildflower photography workshop at Skinner Citrus and Wildflower Grove in DeLand. Reservations are required for the field trips and must be made by March 20.

For more information and field-trip reservations, please call (386) 734-0162. The festival is presented by the University of Florida/Volusia County Extension, River of Lakes Heritage Corridor and Mainstreet DeLand.

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